OEM - The Company has Reinforced Its Commitments Towards India

At the backdrop of India Aviation 2010, Eric Bachelet, President and CEO, CFM International, spoke at length to Air Marshal (Retd) B.K. Pandey, Editor of SP’s AirBuz about the company’s varied initiaives in India

SP’s Airbuz (SP’s): Can you brief us about the history of CFM International?

Eric Bachelet (EB): Driven by the need to develop the 10-tonne engine, which was foreseen as a requirement for the airline industry in the seventies, Snecma, France and GE Aviation, USA formed a 50:50 Joint Venture company named CFM International (CFMI) in 1974. The primary responsibilities of CFMI were to manage the programme between GE and Snecma and to market and provide support for the product at a single point of contact for the customer. Both GE and Snecma are responsible for producing various components and each has its own final assembly line. GE is responsible for the high pressure compressor, combustor and high pressure turbine. Snecma is responsible for the fan, low pressure turbine, the gearbox and the exhaust. The engines are assembled by GE in Evendale, Ohio, USA and by Snecma in Villaroche, France. The name of the JV and the CFM56 product line are derived from the two parent companies’ commercial engine designations; GE’s CF6 and Snecma’s M56. The company is now acknowledged as the world’s largest aircraft engine manufacturer and supplier with more than 20,250 delivered to over 500 operators globally. CFMI engines powered 55 per cent of all airliners ordered from 1996 to 2009. Being unique in more ways than one, this transatlantic partnership has stood the test of time and is regarded as the most successful JV.

SP’s: Please elaborate on CFMI’s association with the Indian market. How do you assess the future prospects?

EB: The first lot of CFM56 engines entered service with Jet Airways in 1994. Since then, CFMI’s presence in India and South Asia has steadily grown. Today, there are more than 500 CFM56 engines in service or on order in the region powering Airbus and Boeing aircraft for Air India, Air India Express, GoAir, and SpiceJet, as well as airlines in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Indian customers are supported by seven in-country field service engineers. India is one of the most dynamic economies in the world and the long-term potential is virtually limitless. At CFMI, we are very pleased and proud to be a part of the aviation infrastructure in India and in being a support in the continuous growth of the industry in the region. Both the parent companies of CFM—Snecma and General Electric have also invested heavily in India. In 2007, Snecma’s 50:50 JV with HAL reached full production capability supplying tubes and pipes for CFM56 engines. GE has had large commercial engines, such as the CF6 and the GE90, operating in India since 1982. Additionally, both the companies have extensive research and development capabilities in the country, located in Bangalore. In the recent past, the company has entered the defence segment in India by way of CFM56-7B engines for the Boeing Business Jets and P8I Long Range Maritime Surveillance aircraft. The company has reinforced its commitments through investment in a training centre that was inaugurated on March 2, 2010.

SP’s: What are CFMI’s plans to meet the challenges of climate change?

EB: The company has constantly been striving to upgrade production standards of the CFM56 engine to achieve reduced fuel consumption, lower noise levels and emissions, enhanced life and reduced maintenance costs. Some hardware changes such as reduction in the number of high pressure low-pressure turbine blades have been introduced for better performance of the CFM 7BE, but revolutionary changes are in the offing with the advanced turbofan engine based on composite technology that would contribute to reduction in all-up weight of the aircraft by nearly 500 kg. This engine will offer 10-15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and is designated as the LEAP-X programme. Elevating engine performance to an entirely new level, the LEAP-X is expected to enter service in or after 2015. However, beyond the LEAP-X is the engine based on Open Rotor Technology with expected service entry in 2025 or later. Employing LEAP-X technology and beyond, the open rotor engine will carry an external contra-rotating set of fans at the rear and offer up to 30 per cent reduction in fuel consumption. There are a number of technical and regulatory issues to be resolved before the engine is ready to power airliners. However, the Open Rotor technology holds great promise.

SP’s: What in your view is the real strength of CFMI?

EB: Apart from the fact that CFMI synergises the capabilities of two of the world’s most renowned manufacturer of aero engines located in two distant continents, the organisation itself is simple and responsive to the needs of its customers. The company assesses and predicts the future needs of customers, strives to deliver the right product that is world class provides the best possible product support to stay ahead in the race.

SP’s: What is your observation of the global market potential in the next decade or two?

EB: Apart from the fact that CFMI has another 5,700 engines to be delivered, it is expected that both Airbus and Boeing would look for new generation engines by the end of the decade. This will generate a sizeable demand for our products. Besides, both Airbus and Boeing estimate that around 1,000 airliners are expected to be inducted into service over the next 20 years. We therefore see an ever growing demand for engines in the next two decades.