Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the country, has signed a $174 million contract with leading engine manufacturer CFM International for its CFM56-5B engines.

The Doha-based airline has selected the CFM56-5B engines to power eight new Airbus A320ceo aircraft.

"We are obviously pleased to welcome Qatar Airways to the CFM family," said Jean-Paul Ebanga, president and CEO of CFM International. "This airline continues to set new standards of excellence in the Middle East and throughout the world, and we are honoured to be part of the team. This is the beginning of what will surely become a great relationship."

More than 6,800 CFM56-5B engines have been delivered to date to operators around the globe. The CFM56-5B is the only engine that can power every model of the A320 family, from the small A318 up to the A321, with the same bill of materials.

CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran) and GE, is the world's leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines and has delivered more than 28,000 CFM56 engines to date. – TradeArabia News Service