Jan. 30, 2007 (China Knowledge) – An agreement for Air China <753><601111> to buy US$345 million worth of aircraft engines from CFM International has been signed on Tuesday.

CFM International will deliver CFM56-5B engines for Air China’s 24 Airbus A321 aircraft between 2008 and 2012. The agreement will also see that CFM service Air China’s new and existing engines for the next 15 years. In addition, a joint venture for the airline’s maintenance and overhaul facility would be established.

Since 1986, Air China has been a client of CFM, which is a joint venture between General Electric Co. and France's Safran. Air China, headquartered in Beijing, operates 207 aircraft, serving 77 domestic and 38 international airports.