Malaysia Airlines Selects CFM56-7B Engine to Power up to 55 Boeing 737-800s

Released on Tuesday, April 01, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - April 1, 2008 - Malaysia Airlines has announced an order for up to 55 CFM56-7B-powered Boeing 737-800 aircraft to replace its current Boeing 737-400 fleet. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2010 and the engine order for the 35 firm aircraft is valued at $475 million at list price.

CFM56-7B engines are a product of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company. CFM is the world's leading aircraft engine manufacturer, with more than 18,000 engines delivered to date.

"We selected the CFM56-7B-powered Boeing aircraft as our aim is to ensure that the aircraft for our core network will always be the latest in terms of technology" said Mr. Idris Jala, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Malaysia Airlines. "We plan to use the new aircraft primarily within the ASEAN region, including domestic Malaysia operations as well as routes to the growing areas such as China and India."

"We are very pleased and honored that Malaysia Airlines has chosen to make CFM such an integral part of its recovery plan," said Eric Bachelet, president and CEO of CFM International. "We believe that the technology benefits provided by the CFM56-7B will help with long-time customer achieve it long-term goals."

The CFM56-7B26/3 engines powering the new Malaysia Airlines fleet will be the advanced Tech Insertion configuration, which will provide the airline with lower maintenance costs, improved oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions, and better fuel burn. Tech Insertion includes improvements to the high-pressure compressor, the combustor, and the high- and low-pressure turbines

The CFM56-7B is the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing Next-Generation.