Allegiant Air announced that it will use CFM International CFM56-5B engines to power 12 new Airbus A320ceo (current engine option) aircraft. Allegiant ordered the aircraft earlier today, and the aircraft are expected to enter service between 2017 and 2018.

The order is valued at $270 million USD at list price, and includes spare engines.

Since 2013, Allegiant has operated a fleet of 31 CFM56-5B powered Airbus A319/A320. Allegiant’s most recent order brings the CFM-powered fleet up to 77 Airbus aircraft (in service or on order).

Maury Gallagher, Allegiant chairman and CEO, states his reasoning behind choosing the CFM powerplant. “We have been extremely happy with the CFM56-5B engines in our fleet, [and] the economics have been key to our ability to grow while maintaining our cost structure.”

The CFM56-5B Allegiant will use on the new A320ceo Aircraft

The CFM56 engine has been commonly used on single-aisle commercial jet engines with exceptional reliability and performance and provides 27,980 – 30,000 pounds of thrust. There are more than 29,500 engines delivered with over 550 operators worldwide.

The CFM56 engine family is also used on the Boeing 737 NG family (CFM56-7B).

Featured image from http://www.visitingphx.com/, Allegiant A320