Skybus Airlines To Purchase CFM56-5B engines for its A319 Fleet
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North America,
Skybus Airlines
EVENDALE, Ohio - February 13, 2007 -Skybus Airlines has announced that
it will purchase CFM56-5B engines to power 65 new Airbus A319 aircraft
in an engine order valued at more than $750 million at list price.
CFM56-5B engines are a product of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint
company between Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company and
the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines.
Skybus- the next generation of low-fare airlines- is scheduled to take
delivery of its first A319 in late 2008 and plans to begin nonstop
service from its base in Columbus, Ohio to major U.S. markets in spring,
2007.
"The CFM56-5B engine is an ideal match for our A319 fleet," said Bill
Diffenderffer, chief executive officer of Skybus. "The outstanding
quality and reliability of this engine will help us achieve our goal of
providing passengers with the highest quality, lowest cost service
without any compromises. The engine's low cost of ownership will also
be a strong contributor to our ability to implement our long-term growth
strategy."
"We're obviously honored by Skybus's order and excited about the
prospect of working with them as they launch this new venture," said
Bill Clapper, Executive Vice President of CFM.
"I applaud Skybus' decision to purchase aircraft engines that provide
jobs for Ohioans, as well as its continued commitment to spur economic
growth throughout the state," said Ohio, Lt. Governor Lee Fisher, who
also serves as Director for the Ohio Department of Development. "The
State of Ohio is proud to be a partner with Skybus as it develops its
Ohio operation, which is making a significant economic investment in the
state and creating good jobs for Ohio workers."
All of the airline's engines will be CFM56-5B Tech Insertion engines.
This new configuration, which is schedule for certification in the third
quarter of this year, incorporates advanced technologies developed and
validated as part of Project TECH56 to provide operators 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 CFM56-5B is the engine of choice for the Airbus A320 family and is
popular with major airlines, low-cost carriers, and leasing companies
alike. More than 2,400 CFM56-5B engines have been delivered to date,
and the fleet is growing at a rate of about 35 engines per month.
Primary factors behind the engine's broad-based acceptance include its
industry's best reliability, durability, low cost of ownership, and
world-class customer and product support. The CFM56-5B is the only
engine that can power every model of the A320 family, from the small
A318 up to the A321, with the same bill of materials, giving airlines a
significant commonality advantage.
# # #
For further information, contact:
Jamie Jewell 513.552.2790
Mobile: 513.885.2282
Rick Kennedy 513.243.3372
Mobile: 513.607.0609
Vincent Chappard 33.1.69.87.09.29
www.cfm56.com
For Skybus:
Bob Tenenbaum 614.573-1377
Mobile: 614.313-2315
Date posted: 14-Feb-07
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Skybus Airlines To Purchase CFM56-5B engines for its A319 Fleet 
