Article Posted on : - Jan 28, 2011

WEST CHESTER, OHIO (BNS): Thomas Cook Group has selected the CFM56-5B engine to power 12 Airbus A321 aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2014. The engine order is valued at more than $200 million.

The new airplane order was signed on Tuesday. The CFM56-5B PIP is currently undergoing flight tests at Airbus and is schedule for certification in the second quarter of 2011 and airline entry into service is planned for the third quarter 2011, a company statement said.

All of Thomas Cook's new CFM56-5B engines will incorporate an engine performance improvement package. The modifications will reduce engine fuel consumption by 0.5 percent and lower maintenance costs by 1 percent. The engine will maintain the same noise signature as the current production engine, it said.

CFM56-5B engines are a product of CFM International, a joint company between Snecma (Safran group) and GE. The CFM56-5B engine powers every model of the Airbus A320 family and has been chosen to power approximately 55 percent of all A320 aircraft in service or on order.

Thomas Cook Group plc is one of the world’s leading leisure travel groups and operates a total fleet of more than 90 aircraft and carries 17 million passengers each year.