KUALA LUMPUR (Yosefardi) – Regional budget carrier AirAsia Berhad has placed a firm order worth approximately US$8.6 billion for aircraft engines with CFM International Inc.

The purchase order comprises LEAP-1A engines for 64 A320 NEO aircraft and CFM56-5B engines for 36 A320 CEO aircraft along with 5 CFM56-5B spare engines and 9 LEAP –1A spare engines.

“The order is inclusive of a 20-year RPFH (Rate per Flight Hour) agreement under the terms of which CFM will guarantee maintenance costs on a dollar per engine flight hour basis for the firm engines ordered,” AirAsia informed Bursa Malaysia Thursday (June 20).

The engines will be installed to power AirAsia’s Airbus A320 aircraft order made on December 13, 2012.