The World's Largest Commercial Engine Manufacturer - CFM International
CFM International is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial aircraft engines. Their engines power countless passenger planes around the globe. This joint venture is a 50/50 partnership between GE Aviation (United States) and Safran (France).
CFM offers a wide range of engines to meet the needs of various aircraft models and customers. The CFM56 and LEAP engine series are their two major products, powering aircraft like the Boeing 737NG and 737MAX, and the Airbus A320ceo and A320neo, respectively.
The CFM56 engine is one of the most successful engines in the history of commercial aviation, bringing significant financial benefits to General Electric, Safran, and their partners. The CFM56 hit the market at the same time as popular aircraft models like the Boeing 737NG and the Airbus A320ceo family, becoming the preferred engine choice for these aircraft. The CFM56 was even used on early models of the wide-body Airbus A340. The engine comes in various models, each tailored to meet the specific needs of different aircraft, satisfying the diverse requirements of airlines.
Pratt & Whitney, a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, is CFM's main competitor. Pratt & Whitney's GTF (Geared Turbofan) engine series directly competes with the LEAP series, and both companies have been fiercely competing for engine orders on the Airbus A320neo family of aircraft.
While Rolls-Royce (United Kingdom) also manufactures commercial engines, their Trent series engines are primarily used for large wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, differentiating them from CFM's product line.
CFM is currently developing an open-rotor engine. Open-rotor technology has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by 20%, but its commercial viability is still under testing and evaluation. Pratt & Whitney and Rolls-Royce, on the other hand, are focusing on geared technology and traditional engine casing designs.
Airbus is optimistic about CFM's new engine technology, while Boeing is more cautious and may lean towards traditional engines. The choice of aircraft engine architecture also indirectly influences the market leadership of companies like Airbus and Boeing.
