AviancaTaca signs agreement with CFM valued at $2.7bn

Panama-based AviancaTaca Holdings has selected the advanced technology LEAP-1A engines to power 33 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, in addition to ordering CFM56-5B engines to power an additional 18 Airbus A320ceo family aircraft. The airline has also opted for a comprehensive engine maintenance service package. The agreement has a total combined value of $2.7bn U.S. at list price. AviancaTaca signed a 15-year RPFH (Rate per Flight Hour) agreement to support both the new CFM56 and LEAP engine fleets under which CFM will guarantee maintenance costs on a dollar per engine flight hour basis. Deliveries of the A320ceos are scheduled between 2014 and 2016, while the A320neos will be delivered in the 2017 to 2019 timeframe. The airplanes were originally announced in June 2011.