Budget European airliner easyJet has placed a significant order for 300 engines with Safran.

The French-owned tech giant, which has extensive interests at Staverton and is one of Gloucestershire's biggest employers, said that the batch of CFM LEAP-1A engines will be used to power a fleet of 157 Airbus A320neo family aircraft, including 56 A320neo and 101 A321neo.

Delivery will commence from 2029, along with spare engines and a multi-year services agreement.

A spokesman for Safran said: "Today's order strengthens a successful partnership of more than 25 years between the two companies. easyJet currently operates 257 Airbus A320ceos powered by CFM56-5B engines and 69 A320neos with LEAP-1A engines.

"We are very pleased to have signed a deal with CFM, following a competitive selection process."

The supplier has also indicated that the deal will deliver important environmental benefits through a significant improvement in fuel efficiency and a reduction in noise, while enabling "easyJet to continue to affirm its leading position at Europe's primary airports".

Johan Lundgren, CEO of easyJet, said: "easyJet has a long history working with CFM and look forward to continuing to work in partnership in the years to come."

Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM Internationale added: "We are proud to embark on a new journey with easyJet, a trusted partner that shares our ambition to build more sustainable air travel.

"We remain committed to delivering the very best CFM has to offer in terms of efficiency, reliability and world-class customer support."

● The advanced CFM LEAP engine family provides 15 to 20 percent better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions, as well as a significant improvement in noise compared to previous generation engines. Since its entry into service in 2016, the LEAP engine has allowed customers to save more than 30 million tons of CO2 when compared to same flights powered by CFM56 engines.