West Chester, Ohio, Mexico’s flag carrier, Aeromexico, today announced that it intends to purchase LEAP-1B engines to power 90 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 airplanes. The order is valued at $2.25 billion U.S. at list price.

Aeromexico, took delivery of its first CFM56-7B-powered Next-Generation 737 in 2003. Today, the airline operates a fleet of more than 40 CFM56-powered 737-700 and 737 -800 aircraft with nearly 10 additional aircraft still to be delivered.

Andres Conesa, Aeromexico chief executive officer, said “We see great synergy between CFM and Boeing on this airplane. The LEAP-powered MAX brings all of the elements we need to help us continue to grow our airline – reliability, fuel efficiency, an improved environmental footprint, and low overall cost of ownership. We know from experience the high level of support we will get for this airplane and look forwarding to introducing it into our fleet.”

Jean-Paul Ebanga, CFM International's president and chief executive officer, said, “We are honored that Aeromexico has entrusted its future single-aisle fleet to the LEAP-1B.

“We look forward to building upon the relationship we have forged over the past decade and to further strengthening that bond.”

Kevin McAllister, GE Aviation's vice president of global sales, added, “We could not be more proud to be a part of this team for the long term.

“Aeromexico has done an incredible job of both growing its reach into the right markets globally, as well as expanding its fleet with the most modern aircraft available today. We see great things ahead for this airline, and we will be beside them every step of the way.”

The LEAP-1B, which is the result of a six-year collaboration effort with Boeing, is the exclusive powerplant for the new 737 variant.

About Grupo Aeroméxico

"AirwaysGrupo Aeroméxico, S.A.B. de C.V. is a holding company whose subsidiaries are engaged in commercial aviation in Mexico and the promotion of passenger loyalty programs. Its fleet includes Boeing 777, 767 and 737 aircraft and the latest Embraer 145, 170 and 190 models. The carrier announced a major expansion plan in 2011 to acquire 20 new and wholly owned aircraft including ten Embraer 190 and ten Boeing 737-8 NG airplanes. Aeroméxico will take delivery of seven B787-8 Dreamliners over the next three years.

Grupo Aeroméxico operates its main hub out of Terminal 2 in the Mexico City International Airport, and offers 550 daily flights to different cities in Mexico, the United States, Canada, Central and South America, Europe and Asia.