February 18, 2009 — EVENDALE, Ohio — Lufthansa has selected CFM International’s CFM56-5B engine to power 27 new Airbus A319/A320 aircraft in a firm engine order valued at approximately $375 million. The airline is scheduled to take its first new aircraft later this year, with deliveries continuing through November 2012.

Lufthansa took delivery of its first CFM-powered aircraft in 1986 and today operates more than 150 CFM56-powered Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

Lufthansa, the national carrier of Germany, is one of the world’s most prestigious airlines. Since its foundation, Lufthansa has been a driving force behind commercial aviation. In recent years, the airline has been one of the industry’s strongest proponents of “green” technology that reduces the impact of aviation on the environment, particularly noise and emissions.

By selecting the CFM56-5B Tech Insertion configuration, Lufthansa is taking a significant step in further achieving those goals. Over the engine’s life cycle, CFM56 Tech Insertion will provide the airline better specific fuel consumption, which translates to better fuel burn and, as a result, lower CO2 emissions. The engine also meets the new International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Committee of Aviation Environmental Protection standards (CAEP /6) that took effect in early 2008.

Tech Insertion will also result in longer time on wing through an equivalent 15 – 20° C additional exhaust gas temperature margin; between 5 and 15% percent lower maintenance costs (depending on the thrust rating) through enhanced durability. These benefits are achieved through improvements to the high-pressure compressor, the combustor, and the high- and low-pressure turbines.

Source: General Electric