Safran Unleashes EUR1Bn to Forge a Worldwide MRO Network for LEAP Engines

StandardAero, a premier independent provider of engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) solutions, is thrilled to include Icelandic budget airline PLAY airlines to its expanding roster of CFM International LEAP operators that it serves. StandardAero’s LEAP maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) facility located in San Antonio, TX, will deliver PLAY with LEAP-1A Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) services, supporting the airline’s fleet of A320neo series aircraft.

PLAY is the most recent operator to rely on StandardAero for its CFM LEAP engine assistance, benefiting from the OEM-sanctioned MRO services provided by the firm, which last March became the inaugural North American non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) holder for both the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B. These services – encompassing MRO support, workscoping/forecasting, engine evaluations, program administration, component repair development, lease engine support, and module exchanges – are provided smoothly as part of StandardAero’s Total Engine Asset Management (TEAM™) services package.

Commenting on the collaboration with StandardAero, Sindri Rúnar Úlfarsson, Manager of Engineering – Technical Operations for PLAY stated: “We eagerly anticipate working alongside StandardAero for our LEAP-1A maintenance requirements. Operational efficiency and commercial adaptability were significant determinants in our decision-making process, and we look forward to experiencing StandardAero’s customer service firsthand.”

Willis Asset Management Limited (WAML) assisted PLAY during the selection process. Reflecting on this announcement, Rhys Fackrell, Senior Powerplant Consultant for WAML, stated: “We are excited to have supported PLAY with their LEAP-1A MRO selection process. As an independent aviation consultancy, we’re confident in StandardAero’s capacity to be a dependable and sustainable ally to PLAY, providing exceptional service, customer-centric support, and value. We have worked meticulously to establish a customized commercial and technical agreement that benefits both parties and aligns with their strategic goals and best interests. We wish both entities great success.”

Discussing the news for StandardAero, Will Pitcher, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Customers for the company’s Engine Services – Airlines & Fleets division, remarked: “StandardAero is genuinely honored to have been chosen by PLAY airlines for LEAP-1A PRSV services. We understand the significance of on-time performance for PLAY and its clientele, and look forward to delivering reliable, high-quality services from our San Antonio-based LEAP facility for many years ahead.”

StandardAero recently attained LEAP-1A correlation approval for its initial test cell within its San Antonio testing complex, supplementing the existing LEAP-1B approval, which was secured earlier this year. These approvals pave the way for the introduction of LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) capability, adding to the existing suite of Continued Time Engine Maintenance (CTEM) services offered by StandardAero.

In addition to establishing MRO capability for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B at its San Antonio facility, StandardAero is also industrializing new engine component repairs for the LEAP family through its Component Repair Services (CRS) division’s extensive network of locations and its Repair Development Center of Excellence. To date, StandardAero’s CRS team has successfully implemented over 230 component repairs for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B.

StandardAero continues to enhance its team of LEAP technicians through its in-house Aviation Mechanic Training Program, hosted at its San Antonio site’s Training Academy.

CFM International, the 50/50 joint enterprise between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines that was established in 1974, has revolutionized international collaboration and significantly altered the trajectory of commercial aviation. Today, CFM stands as the world’s foremost supplier of commercial aircraft engines, with a product line that establishes the industry standard for efficiency, reliability, durability, and optimized ownership costs for narrowbody aircraft. The company produces the LEAP family of engines and supports both LEAP and CFM56 fleets for over 600 operators globally.

Safran Aircraft Engines has recently unveiled an investment plan exceeding €1 billion dedicated to enhancing its global maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) network to support the expanding fleet of LEAP engines worldwide.

This substantial investment will amplify Safran’s MRO capabilities, enabling it to meet the anticipated surge in demand for LEAP aftersales services in the upcoming years. The LEAP is the latest engine created by CFM International, a collaboration between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace. It commenced operation in 2016 and currently powers nearly 4,000 narrowbody aircraft, including most new-generation Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX, and COMAC C919 airliners.

“The expansion of our global LEAP MRO network is a response to the remarkable success of this engine, which has been selected by around 180 airlines worldwide,” stated Jean-Paul Alary, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aircraft Engines. “To ensure we keep up with the predicted increase in demand for aftersales support, we’re making unprecedented investments to radically enhance our global MRO network,” he continued. “Designed to deliver world-class industrial performance, our MRO network will be significantly expanded globally, allowing us to offer services where customers require them, while minimizing the environmental impact of our activities.”

These recent investments will empower Safran Aircraft Engines to manage 1,200 shop visits annually by 2028. This capital commitment will finance the establishment of an additional 120,000 square meters of industrial facilities dedicated to LEAP repair and maintenance, including:

• A new site in Brussels, Belgium, set to begin operations in early 2024.
• A new facility in Hyderabad, India, projected to open in 2025.
• A second MRO shop in Querétaro, Mexico, along with a new test platform, both scheduled to commence operations in 2026.
• A new facility in Casablanca, Morocco, anticipated to begin operations in 2026.
• Expansion of the company’s Villaroche and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines facilities, in France, expected in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

The investment plan also encompasses the growth of the company’s global engine part repair network, including:

• A new turbine blade repair facility in Rennes, France.
• Enhancement of its MRO shop in Querétaro, Mexico.
• Prospective Acquisition of the American company Component Repair Technologies.

To bolster the expansion of its MRO network, Safran Aircraft Engines aims to recruit 4,000 employees globally and establish local partnerships with educational institutions to ensure the upskilling of personnel across its MRO organization.

“Our workforce is the backbone of this significant expansion,” remarked Nicolas Potier, Executive VP, Support & Services at Safran Aircraft Engines. “That’s why we’ve initiated an ambitious training program intended to cultivate an international network across all job sectors involved in MRO,” he added. “By fostering synergies among our MRO facilities, which are also situated near our other industrial sites, we’ll be optimally aligned to achieve best-in-class quality, safety, and industrial performance, all while reducing our carbon footprint.” worldwide.