Lion Chooses CFM 56-5B Engines to Power Airbus A320ceo Aircraft

Lion Group has chosen CFM International CFM56-5B engines to power its Airbus A320ceo aircraft.

The Indonesian group has 60 A320ceo aircraft on firm order, with the first to be delivered mid-2014.

A total of six of these Airbus narrowbodies will be delivered in 2014 and these will be assigned to full-service carrier Batik Air.

Lion Group chose the CFM56 to power its A320ceos because of the engine’s fuel-efficiency, good life-cycle cost and potential benefit in maintaining commonality with Lion’s 737-800/900ERs which are powered by CFM56-7 engines. The group also has a large stockpile of spare parts for CFM56 engines.

“Operating highly-efficient and reliable aircraft engines is one of the keys to our ongoing success,” said Lion Group president director, Rusdi Kirana.

Even though Lion Group has chosen the CFM56-5B for its A320ceo aircraft on order, it has yet to make an engine selection for the 109 A320neos and 65 A321neos it has on order.

“We are considering CFM International’s LEAP engine and Pratt & Whitney’s GTF, but have yet to make a decision,” said Kirana. “Whichever engine we select, our ultimate goal is for Lion Group’s Batam Aero Technic to be a world-class facility for engine maintenance, repair and overhaul.”