BIG DEAL: SpiceJet inks whopping Rs 81,000 crore deal with French major Safran Group for aircraft engines

SAFRAN Global CEO Philippe Petitcolin with Ajay Singh, CMD SpiceJet
Image Credit: Payal S. Kanwar / Twitter 

New Delhi: In one of the biggest deals in Indian aviation industry, #SpiceJet today inked Rs 81,000 crore deal with French major #Safran Group for CFM aircraft engines.

SpiceJet and Safran Group have now finalised the purchase of LEAP-1B engines to power a total of 155 Boeing 737 MAX planes, along with spare engines to support the fleet.

The deal was inked at the Indo- French Economic Partnership signing ceremony here on the occasion of French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to India.

SpiceJet CMD Ajay Singh and Safran CEO Philippe Petitcolin signed the MoU in presence of Union Minister of civil aviation, Suresh Prabhu.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of SpiceJet said: "We are looking forward to introducing the new LEAP-1B into our fleet. From what we have seen so far, the LEAP-1B is living up to its promises for efficiency and reliability.

Safran Group CEO Philippe Petitcolin said it has been exciting to watch the SpiceJet airline grow over the years, adding he believes it has a very bright future.

The airline has also signed a ten-year Rate per Flight Hour (RPFH) agreement with CFM Services that covers all #LEAP-1B engines powering SpiceJet's 737 MAX planes.

RPFH agreements are part of CFM's portfolio of flexible aftermarket support offerings.

Under the terms of the agreement, CFM guarantees maintenance costs for all SpiceJet's #LEAP-1B engines on a pay by hour basis, the release issued by the #airline said.

The foundation of the LEAP engine is heavily rooted in advanced aerodynamics, environmental, and materials technology development programs. It will provide 15 percent better fuel consumption and an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to today's best CFM engine, along with dramatic reductions in engine noise and emissions. All this technology brings with it CFM's legendary reliability and low maintenance costs.

LEAP engines are products of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran) and GE. CFM is the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines. The company CFM officially launched the LEAP engine, which is its first all-new centerline engine in nearly 40 years, in 2008.

The LEAP engine promises to bring double-digit improvements in fuel efficiency, emissions and noise, while the legendary reliability and low cost of ownership of its predecessor, the ubiquitous maintaining CFM56 engine family.