COMAC selects CFM's LEAP-X to power C919

Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China chose CFM International's LEAP-X1C to power the 150-seat C919, the country's large commercial aircraft scheduled to enter service in 2016.

This fall, the GE/Snecma joint venture said a baseline LEAP-X could be ready for certification in 2016, with a possible service entry in 2018 (ATW, November 2009). COMAC's deal with CFM is not exclusive and it eventually intends to add a domestically produced powerplant. It signed the agreement with CFM Monday during French Prime Minister Francois Fillon's visit to Beijing.

COMAC Chairman Zhang Qingwei said during the signing ceremony that the LEAP-X1C will "be more fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly. That's why we decided to select it to power the C919, since higher fuel prices would increase carriers' operating costs and a reduction in carbon emissions will help airlines to better accommodate environmental requirements imposed by different parties, such as Europe's ETS." The LEAP-X1C will improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions by 16% compared to the CFM56.

Meanwhile, AVIC's Commerical Aircraft Engine Co. has accelerated its research and development process and has finished a development plan for its commercial engine, which now is awaiting approval from Beijing (ATWOnline, Sept. 7). It signed an MOU with CFM Monday to establish a ground test platform and final assembly line for the LEAP-X1C in China.