New CFM engines make easyJet 25% cleaner

CFM and easyJet celebrate a milestone in the airline’s ambition to be recognized as one of the world’s most environmentally-efficient airlines by revealing new engines that will reduce NOx (mono-nitrogen oxides) emissions by 25% and bring considerable progress in terms of CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

The new CFM56-5B Tech Insertion engines, which are the product of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company, are being introduced onto the easyJet fleet of Airbus A319 aircraft and will reinforce easyJet’s position as one of the most environmentally-aware airlines in the industry.

While most of the focus in recent years has been on aviation’s CO2 emissions, the European Commission is currently developing a NOx emissions legislative proposal by the end of 2008. The CFM56 Tech Insertion program incorporates advanced technologies that help operators lower their environmental impact while also reducing operating and maintenance costs. Improved analytic design tools developed as part of this program have enable CFM to further optimize the Tech Insertion combustor so that it will provide 25 percent lower NOx emissions. In addition, the engine’s 1 percent improvement in fuel consumption will also lower CO2, reducing these emissions by 200 tons per aircraft per year.

"Today marks a new chapter in our long relationship with easyJet,” said Eric Bachelet, president and CEO of CFM International. “This airline’s ‘Green CFM56’ represents the best of available and mature technologies for the environment and will enable easyJet to meet future international emissions regulations with significant margins. We are proud to play a part in helping easyJet solidify its position as an industry leader in environmental consciousness.”

The engines are being fitted onto all new Airbus A319 deliveries.

“There is no doubt that climate change is a real and pressing danger which should be a concern for us all”, said Andy Harrison, CEO of easyJet. “There is also no doubt that the biggest benefits are to be gained from environmentally-sensitive companies, such as CFM and easyJet, developing and operating the big leaps forward in technology that will enable our industry to achieve the green growth that is expected of us."