CFM International Awards Designation to Engines in Continental Airlines Fleet

PHILADELPHIA, Jul 17, 2008 (ASCRIBE NEWS via COMTEX) -- CAL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- CFM International has awarded the TRUEngine designation for more than 500 CFM56-3 and CFM56-7B engines in the Continental Airlines fleet, making the airline the first to be granted this status.

According to company officials, TRUEngine is a product of CFM International (CFM), a 50/50 joint company of Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company.

"The TRUEngine program helps us protect our investment in our CFM56 engines," said Ron Baur, Staff Vice President -Fleet Management. "We are in the midst of one of the most challenging times in our industry's history, and operators worldwide are looking for ways to reduce costs. As we work to reduce capacity by divesting our older 737-300 and 737-500 aircraft, we believe the TRUEngine status of our CFM56-3 engines makes the engines more marketable and helps us achieve a higher resale value."

General Electric noted the Continental engines were awarded TRUEngine status following a comprehensive review of the airline's fleet operational data and maintenance records.

These records validated that maintenance of all of the engines is consistent with CFM International's requirements for those engine models, including maintenance practices, spare parts and repairs and that they comply with CFM-issued engine manuals, service bulletins, and other maintenance recommendations, according to GE.

The CFM56 engines of several more fleet owners will soon be evaluated for the TRUEngine designation, which will be available to all CFM56 engines meeting the criteria.

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((Distributed via M2 Communications Ltd - http://www.m2.com))

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