CFM International, the world’s largest commercial aircraft engine manufacturer, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1974 as a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines (formerly Snecma), CFM International has made its mark in commercial aviation with its high-bypass turbofan engines, transforming air travel through remarkable advancements in fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and noise control.
CFM’s pioneering vision, spearheaded by two visionary leaders, Gerhard Neumann and René Ravaud, has become a reality, driven by the commitment of thousands of men and women who have made the company a global powerhouse in aviation. “We are celebrating the thousands of men and women, past and present, who made that vision a daily reality through their continuous commitment to customers around the world,” said Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International.
Achievements by the Numbers
- 2 seconds: Frequency of CFM-powered aircraft departures
- 670: Number of CFM operators worldwide
- 7 million: Passengers carried daily by CFM-powered aircraft
- 2,400: Average number of CFM-powered aircraft in the air at any time
- 1.3 billion: Total flight hours of CFM56 and LEAP engines combined
- 40%: Improvement in fuel efficiency compared to 1970s-era engine technology
Best-Selling Engines
CFM International’s CFM56 engine family, developed in its early years, has become the best-selling aircraft engine in commercial aviation history. Its successor, the LEAP engine, introduced in 2008, has set new industry benchmarks for fuel efficiency and sustainability. With more than 60 million engine flight hours and 26 million flight cycles accumulated since 2016, LEAP engines offer 15-20% better fuel efficiency and reduced noise and emissions compared to previous generations.
The LEAP engine has enabled CFM customers to save 35 million tons of CO2, proving its immense value in addressing environmental challenges.
RISE Program: Shaping the Future of Aviation
CFM’s latest innovation comes in the form of the RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) programme, launched in 2021. The RISE programme is a comprehensive technology demonstration initiative aimed at making air travel more sustainable. It includes the development of advanced engine architectures such as Open Fan, compact core designs, and hybrid-electric systems that are compatible with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The RISE programme targets a 20% improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction compared to current engines, representing CFM’s continued dedication to shaping the future of aviation.
“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we remain focused on making air transport more sustainable,” said Méheust. “With the RISE programme, CFM will, once again, change the way that people fly.”
