China's Xiamen Airlines and CFM International, a joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines, inked a deal worth $1.86 billion on November 5 on the sidelines of the Fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE).

"Purchasing advanced and environmentally-friendly jet engines from the world's leading supplier will help Xiamen Airlines to achieve its goal toward sustainable development," Tang Jianqi, Vice General Manager of Xiamen Airlines, told Beijing Review.

The deal involves the procurement and maintenance services for 33 LEAP-1A engines and other aerial items. LEAP engines are new-generation aviation engines produced by CFM International. They cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions by about 15 percent compared to previous-generation engines, according to Tang. The first batch of these engines was delivered to the China market in June 2018, and fleets of aircraft with LEAP engines have since flown 10 million hours in total.

Tang noted that the deal aims to further cut the fuel consumption and carbon emissions of their airplanes, which will contribute to the country's efforts to achieve its carbon peak and neutrality goals.

Xiamen Airlines and CFM International will further expand and deepen their partnership in preparation for the aviation sector's post-COVID-19 recovery, Tang said.

"Despite the effects of the pandemic, Xiamen Airlines was able to make a profit in 2020, meaning the company has turned a profit for 34 consecutive years," he added.