CFM56 or V2500?
I was wondering whether engine options for the A320 family have any similarities with choosing an engine while buying a car: "should I go in for a 3.0 litre engine or 2.9 litre one..."
The basic question I've always wanted to ask is: 'Which is the better engine option?'
One of the most striking things I have noticed with A320 family operators is that in Europe (mostly mainland Europe), airlines have opted for CFM56 powered aircraft with a few exceptions such as Olympic Air and Turkish Airlines which operate V2500 types. However most airlines in the UK have opted for V2500 aircraft, notably British Airways and British Midland.
When we see the rest of the world, the Americas, the Middle East, South and East Asia, the Far East and Oceania, airlines operate aircraft with both engine types.
In the US and Canada, most airlines such as Northwest (now Delta), Frontier and Air Canada, operate A320s with CFM56 engines whereas United and US Airways operate those with V2500 engines. US Air operates a mixed fleet consisting of aircraft powered by both engine types.
In South and Central America and Mexico, most airlines viz. Mexicana, TACA, TAME and LAN, operate the V2500 types. Exceptions are Aeromexico, Avianca and Aerolineas, operating A320s powered by CFM56 engines.
In the Middle East, airlines such as Saudia, Royal Jordanian, Egyptair and Eithad operate A320s powered by V2500 engines whereas Air Arabia, Kuwait Airways and Jazeera operate aircraft powered by CFM56 engines.
Recently, Air India received brand new A320s and A321s powered by CFM56 engines even though airlines in India have traditionally used V2500 types and major airlines in the subcontinent continue to do so.
The same mixed bag continues though to East Asia and the Far East. ANA, Air Asia and Vietnam Airlines operate CFM56 types, whereas other operators such as Dragonair, Air Macau, Philippine Airlines, Mandala and Jetstar Asia operate V2500 types.
The high-altitude operator Druk Air (Bhutan) chose A319s powered by CFM56 engines.
Airlines such as Jetstar and Air New Zealand have opted for V2500 powered A320s while the now defunct Ansett was using the CFM56 types.
I'm sure the two engines have their own advantages and disadvantages when it comes to performance. What about the guys who go and buy the aircraft? Do they get any incentives for choosing one engine over another?
I remember reading a most striking advertisement in a leading aviation magazine: "The Swiss have the cleanest air in the world... They would like to keep it that way. They choose CFM engines." This was when Swissair placed an order for brand new A320 family aircraft in the mid-90s. The ad showed sweeping images of the Swiss alps.
On the other hand, the IAE V2500 ads almost always featured Dragonair. I don't quite remember what their punch line was...
But what do pilots and engineers have to say? At the end of the day it's the nut that holds the wheel to whom an engine makes all the difference... Which engine type does the pilot prefer?
Last edited by FlyKingfisher; 25th Aug 2010 at 08:52.