Pegasus Airlines Enjoys Smooth Entry into Service with LEAP-1A

WEST CHESTER, Ohio — 27 September 2016 — On August 2, Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines became the first airline to operate CFM International’s advanced LEAP-1A engine, powering an Airbus A320neo on flights between Istanbul and Antalya.   The airline, which has ordered a total of 200 LEAP-1A engines to power A320neo aircraft, has completed more than 1,700 engine flight cycles to date.

“We are absolutely delighted with the operation of this engine.  There has not been a single glitch,” said Mehmet Nane, CEO of Pegasus Airlines. “From day one, we have been able to operate our new A320neos the same as the other aircraft in our fleet.  Most days, we are doing 10 or 11 flights per day.  The reliability of the engine is helping to keep us on schedule, allowing us to maintain 30-minute turn times at the gate.  Having full use of these assets has given us the flexibility we need to support our daily operations.”

“We are so pleased that Pegasus has enjoyed such a seamless introduction of the LEAP engine into its fleet,” said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International.  “It is exciting to see all of the hard work and planning the Pegasus and CFM teams did together yield such an outstanding result.   I congratulate them all on a job very well done.”

The LEAP-1A is providing double-digit improvements in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions compared to today’s best CFM engine, along with dramatic reductions in engine noise and exhaust gaseous emissions.  All this technology is focused on providing better utilization, including CFM’s legendary reliability out of the box; greater asset availability; enhanced time on wing margins to help keep maintenance costs low; and minimized maintenance actions, all supported by sophisticated analytics that enable CFM to provide tailored, predictive maintenance over the life of the product.

About CFM International

LEAP-1A engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines and the world’s leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines.  To date, the company has garnered orders and commitments for more than 11,500 LEAP engines, making it the fastest-selling engine in aviation history.  For more information concerning CFM, visit us on the Web at www.cfmaeroengines.com or follow us on Twitter @CFM_engines.