Shrinking production at CFM International's two key customers Airbus and Boeing means the company will reduce the number of CFM56 engines it ships this year to 740, from 1,040 in 2001.
Last year saw the second highest production rate for CFMI, says president and chief executive Pierre Fabre. It is not clear how many engines will be built next year, but it is likely to be 550-650, he adds.
Fabre says: "2002 orders are stronger than anticipated, but how many delivery delays and cancellations are coming?" Key orders this year include Ryanair's for 100 Boeing 737s, Frontier Airlines' switch from the Pratt &Whitney PW6000 to the CFM56-5B/P for seven Airbus A318s and South African Airways' selection of upgraded CFM56-5C/Ps for its Airbus A340-300 Enhanced, says Fabre.
Fabre says the company aims to be "creative and flexible" with payment terms and that it is "leveraging what the shareholders [General Electric and Snecma] can do".
SAA is launch customer for the -5C/P, one of a number of engine developments incorporating technology from the TECH56 programme. The engine has a high-pressure compressor incorporating three-dimensional aerodynamics technology, revised high-pressure turbine (HPT) blade design and a new low-pressure turbine first-stage nozzle.
The engine will enter service in 2004 offering a 1% fuel consumption improvement and 13ºC lower engine gas temperatures, which will translate into10% lower maintenance costs, says Fabre.
The first engines incorporating TECH56-derived components are due to enter service in July with Southwest Airlines on its 737 -300/500s. The CFM56-3 core upgrade introduces a three-dimensional aerodynamics compressor and new HPT hardware.
Fabre says these engines will last longer on the wing and require 50% fewer repairs to HPT components. Icing trials and endurance tests are on-going and certification is planned for this quarter.
Source: Flight International
