By Stephen Trimble
The first Boeing 737-900ER delivered to Jakarta-based Lion Air entered service on 7 May, Boeing and CFM International officials told Flight's sister publication ATI.
The single-aisle airliner is the first to feature a new package of engine upgrades developed by the CFMI joint venture, said President and CEO Eric Bachelet said on 7 May.
The entry into service came five days after the originally scheduled date on 2 May. The 220-seat 737-900ER will provide service from Jakarta to Manado and Makassar.
The technology insertion programme for the 737NG’s CFM56-7B powerplant is designed to yield major cost and performance improvements.
The new combustor design alone should reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) by up to 20%, according to CFMI. The company also advertises reduced fuel burn and increased time on wing through a 5-degree (Celsius) boost in exhaust gas temperature margin.
A similar batch of upgrades for the CFM56-5B/P, which include an improved high-pressure compressor, combuster, high pressure turbine and low pressure turbine nozzle, should be entering service on the Airbus A320 family in the fourth quarter, Bachelet said.
CFMI plans to offer the insertion package on all new models and as a retrofit package for -5B/P and -7B engines, which number 2,570 and 4,686, respectively.
Related links:
Flight's commercial aircraft directory
Flight's engine directory
Source: Flight International
