CFM International, a joint venture of Safran Group SA and General Electric Co. (GE), received a US$345 million engine order from Chinese airline Air China.

Air China said it will use the engines to power its new fleet of 25 Airbus A321s.

The airline is scheduled to take delivery of the engines between 2008 and 2012.

Air China also will sign a 15-year maintenance agreement covering engine overhaul and repair, the companies said.