GE Aviation has expanded its TrueChoice™ FlightHour agreement for engine maintenance, repair and overhaul with Southwest Airlines to include the CFM56-7B engines powering 83 SWA Boeing 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft. This means that GE has over 1,400 CFM56-7B engines operated by Southwest covered with MRO services.
The specific terms of the new agreement were not released.
The CFM56 series of high-bypass turbofan aircraft engines are a product of CFM International, the joint venture of GE Aviation and Snecma, in which each of the partners manufactures particular components and assembles the final articles, and services the engines of a commonly held design.
GE Aviation produces the high-pressure compressor, combustor, and high-pressure turbine, and Snecma manufactures the fan, gearbox, exhaust and the low-pressure turbine. The engines are available in four design variants. Reportedly, the CFM56 is one of the most common turbofan aircraft engines in the world.
“Southwest Airlines and GE Aviation have a long and strong relationship based on CFM56 engines and services offerings," stated Kevin McAllister, president and CEO of GE Engine Services. "We believe the scope and flexibility of the TrueChoice FlightHour agreement demonstrates the airline's continuing confidence in our outstanding MRO service."
GE Aviation offers a “suite” of engine maintenance modules under its TrueChoice program for commercial aviation companies. This includes:
• TrueChoice Flight Hour, to optimize cost of ownership over the service life of an engine;
• TrueChoice Overhaul, to provide time and material overhauls with customized service objectives for individual shops’ economic priorities;
• TrueChoice Material, to provide new and used OEM parts, advanced repairs, and technology upgrades to improves engine performance over the service life and support higher engine residual value; and
• TrueChoice Transitions, to offer different MRO options according to ownership positions/objectives, including leases, exchanges and material buy-back, plus customized service programs.
