Safran Invests €1 Billion to Revolutionize Global MRO Infrastructure for LEAP Engines

StandardAero, a leading independent provider of engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) solutions, is excited to welcome Icelandic low-cost carrier PLAY airlines to its growing list of CFM International LEAP operators that it serves. StandardAero’s LEAP maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) facility situated in San Antonio, TX, will provide PLAY with LEAP-1A Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) services, enhancing the airline’s fleet of A320neo series aircraft.

PLAY is the latest operator to rely on StandardAero for its CFM LEAP engine assistance, gaining from the OEM-approved MRO services offered by the company, which in March became the first North American non-airline holder of the CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) for both LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B. These services – including MRO support, workscoping/forecasting, engine assessments, program management, component repair development, lease engine support, and module exchanges – are provided seamlessly as part of StandardAero’s Total Engine Asset Management (TEAM™) service package.

In reference to the partnership with StandardAero, Sindri Rúnar Úlfarsson, Engineering Manager – Technical Operations for PLAY stated: “We eagerly look forward to collaborating with StandardAero for our LEAP-1A maintenance needs. Operational efficiency and commercial flexibility were key factors in our selection process, and we anticipate experiencing StandardAero’s exceptional customer service firsthand.”

Willis Asset Management Limited (WAML) aided PLAY throughout the selection journey. Commenting on this partnership, Rhys Fackrell, Senior Powerplant Consultant for WAML, stated: “We are pleased to have supported PLAY during their LEAP-1A MRO selection process. As an independent aviation consultancy, we hold high confidence in StandardAero’s ability to be a reliable and sustainable partner for PLAY, offering outstanding service, customer-focused support, and excellent value. We have diligently worked to create a tailored commercial and technical agreement that benefits both parties and aligns with their strategic objectives and best interests. We wish both organizations great success.”

Addressing the news for StandardAero, Will Pitcher, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Clients for the company’s Engine Services – Airlines & Fleets division, remarked: “StandardAero is truly honored to have been selected by PLAY airlines for LEAP-1A PRSV services. We understand the significance of punctual performance for PLAY and its customers, and look forward to delivering consistent, high-caliber services from our San Antonio-based LEAP facility for numerous years to come.”

StandardAero recently secured LEAP-1A correlation approval for its initial test cell within its San Antonio testing complex, complementing the existing LEAP-1B approval, which was granted earlier this year. These approvals open the door for the launch of LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) capabilities, augmenting the suite of Continued Time Engine Maintenance (CTEM) services offered by StandardAero.

Besides establishing MRO capabilities for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B at its San Antonio facility, StandardAero is also enhancing 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 effectively implemented over 230 component repairs for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B.

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

CFM International, the 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, established in 1974, has transformed global collaboration and significantly reshaped the landscape of commercial aviation. Today, CFM stands as the leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines, boasting a product range that sets the industry benchmark for efficiency, reliability, durability, and optimized ownership costs for narrowbody aircraft. The company manufactures the LEAP family of engines and supports both LEAP and CFM56 fleets for over 600 operators globally.

Safran Aircraft Engines has recently announced an investment plan exceeding €1 billion aimed at enhancing its international maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) network to support the expanding fleet of LEAP engines around the world.

This considerable investment will boost Safran’s MRO capacities, allowing it to meet the expected surge in demand for LEAP aftersales services in the forthcoming years. The LEAP is the newest engine developed by CFM International, a partnership between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace. It commenced operations in 2016 and currently powers nearly 4,000 narrowbody aircraft, including most new-generation Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX, and COMAC C919 jets.

“The expansion of our global LEAP MRO network is in response to the remarkable success of this engine, which has been chosen by approximately 180 airlines worldwide,” stated Jean-Paul Alary, Chief Executive Officer of Safran Aircraft Engines. “To ensure we keep pace with the projected growth in demand for aftersales support, we’re making extraordinary investments to significantly enhance our global MRO network,” he continued. “Engineered to deliver exceptional industrial performance, our MRO network will be extensively expanded worldwide, enabling us to provide services where customers require them, while minimizing the environmental impact of our operations.”

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

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

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

• A new turbine blade repair facility in Rennes, France.
• Enhancements to its MRO shop in Querétaro, Mexico.
• Potential acquisition of the American company Component Repair Technologies.

To support the growth of its MRO network, Safran Aircraft Engines aims to recruit 4,000 employees globally and forge local partnerships with educational institutions to ensure the upskilling of personnel throughout its MRO organization.

“Our workforce is the foundation of this substantial expansion,” remarked Nicolas Potier, Executive VP, Support & Services at Safran Aircraft Engines. “That’s why we’ve launched an extensive training program designed to cultivate an international network across all job sectors involved in MRO,” he added. “By nurturing synergies among our MRO facilities, which are additionally located near our other industrial sites, we’ll be optimally positioned to achieve top-tier quality, safety, and industrial performance, all while minimizing our carbon footprint.”