Mexico’s flag carrier, Aeromexico, today announced that it intends to purchase LEAP-1B engines to power 90 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 airplanes. The order is valued at $2.25 billion U.S. at list price.

“We see great synergy between CFM and Boeing on this airplane. The LEAP-powered MAX brings all of the elements we need to help us continue to grow our airline – reliability, fuel efficiency, an improved environmental footprint, and low overall cost of ownership. We know from experience the high level of support we will get for this airplane and look forwarding to introducing it into our fleet,”  said Andres Conesa, Chief Executive Officer of Aeromexico.

Aeromexico, which was found in 1934, is a long-time CFM customer and took delivery of its first CFM56-7B-powered Next-Generation 737 in 2003. Today, the airline operates a fleet of more than 40 CFM56-powered 737-700 and 737 -800 aircraft with nearly 10 additional aircraft still to be delivered.

“We are honored that Aeromexico has entrusted its future single-aisle fleet to the LEAP-1B,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. “We look forward to building upon the relationship we have forged over the past decade and to further strengthening that bond.”

“We could not be more proud to be a part of this team for the long term,” said Kevin McAllister, vice president of Global Sales for CFM parent company GE Aviation. “Aeromexico has done an incredible job of both growing its reach into the right markets globally, as well as expanding its fleet with the most modern aircraft available today. We see great things ahead for this airline, and we will be beside them every step of the way.”

“We are honored that Aeromexico has entrusted its future single-aisle fleet to the LEAP-1B,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. “We look forward to building upon the relationship we have forged over the past decade and to further strengthening that bond.”

The LEAP-1B, which is the result of an exhaustive six-year collaboration effort with Boeing, is the exclusive powerplant for the new 737 variant, with the engine optimized for the airplane. The 737 MAX continues a 30-year relationship between CFM and Boeing; CFM engines have been the sole powerplant for all 737 aircraft sold since 1981.

LEAP engines incorporate revolutionary technologies never before seen in the single-aisle aircraft segment. The new engine combines advanced aerodynamic design techniques, lighter, more durable materials, and leading-edge environmental technologies, making it a major breakthrough in engine technology.

As a result, operators of the 737 MAX will achieve up to 13 percent lower fuel burn compared to today’s best CFM56-powered 737; an equivalent reduction in carbon emissions; as well as reductions in both NOx emissions compared to the current CAEP/6 requirements and the aircraft noise footprint, all while maintaining the benefits of CFM’s legendary reliability and low maintenance costs.

LEAP engines are a product of CFM International a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran group) and GE.

General Electric press release