Japan Airlines Pens CFM56-7B Services Agreement with GE

JAL's agreement with GE for the CFM56-7B (pictured) mirrors similar agreements signed between both parties.
Credit: CFM International

Japan Airlines (JAL) has entered into a five-year year aftermarket services agreement with GE Aviation for coverage on its CFM56-7B engines powering its Boeing 737-800 aircraft fleet.

Under the terms of the TrueChoice Overhaul contract, the Japanese flag carrier is covered by time and material required to overhaul more than 100 CFM56-7B engines. JAL operates 48 737-800s in its fleet.

“We are convinced that the TrueChoice Overhaul agreement for the CFM56-7B engine will provide a new competitive edge with both cost reduction benefits and OEM high reliability,” says Yukio Nakagawa, executive officer in charge of procurement at JAL.

GE already has several other aftermarket agreements in place with JAL, including MRO services for its GE90, GEnx-1B, CF34-8E and -10E engines and the CF6-80C2 engine. “This agreement will enable us to provide high-quality OEM service to JAL’s CFM56-7B engine fleet to keep these engines flying,” added Russell Stokes, GE Aviation Services president and CEO.

Just before the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020, JAL entered several other MRO contracts for its fleet, which numbers 156 aircraft according to the airline’s website. These maintenance deals included a 787 components support contract with Collins Aerospace and engine parts repair coverage with Meggitt for its 737s, 767s, and 777s.

James Pozzi

As Aviation Week's MRO Editor EMEA, James Pozzi covers the latest industry news from the European region and beyond. He also writes in-depth features on the commercial aftermarket for Inside MRO.