Following its recent order of 150 Boeing 737 Max planes, Akasa Air has announced its agreement to purchase over 300 CFM LEAP-1B engines to power these aircraft, according to Times of India. The CFM LEAP-1B engines are the only available option for the B737 MAX, unlike Airbus A320 planes which offer two engine options. Akasa signed the agreement with CFM International, a joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and General Electric, during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to India. The deal also includes spare engines and a services contract.
Akasa’s founder and CEO, Vinay Dube, expressed his confidence in CFM International, stating, This long-term agreement is testament to the confidence that CFM International has in Akasa Air. Continuing to partner with CFM as our engine maintenance provider not only reaffirms our focus on operational reliability but equally underscores Akasa Air’s relentless pursuit of safety. Dube added that with CFM as their long-term engine maintenance provider, Akasa remains confident in their goal of becoming one of the top 30 leading airlines in the world by the end of the decade.
Before this new order, Akasa had already ordered 76 B737 MAX planes, with 22 currently in service. The latest agreement between Akasa and CFM International further expands CFM’s presence in India, with over 400 CFM-powered aircrafts already in service and 2,500 LEAP engines in the backlog. Both CFM’s parent companies, GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, have made significant investments in India to develop advanced facilities dedicated to LEAP production and maintenance, while also establishing strategic partnerships with Indian aerospace companies as part of the Make in India policy.
According to Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM International, their customers are experiencing 15 to 20 percent better fuel efficiency with their LEAP-powered fleets, along with the highest reliability and daily utilization rates in the thrust class. Méheust believes that this new order will continue to bring these benefits to Akasa and support their ongoing growth, while also playing an integral role in India’s economic development.
By securing such a significant engine order with CFM International, Akasa Air has taken another major step towards solidifying its position in the aviation industry. With a growing fleet of Boeing 737 Max planes and the support of CFM’s LEAP-1B engines, Akasa is strengthening its operational reliability and commitment to passenger safety. As the airline continues its journey towards becoming one of the world’s leading carriers, this partnership marks a significant milestone in their strategic growth plans.
