CFM Bolsters Leap Network

In an effort to bolster its Leap aftermarket partners network, CFM International has added two new MRO companies to provide a full range of services for the narrowbody engine family.

First, Singapore-based ST Engineering’s commercial aerospace division has signed a CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) for Leap-1A and -1B engines.

Under the terms of the CBSA announced Wednesday (March 22), ST Engineering will provide the full scope of MRO services for Leap engines to operators worldwide from its facility in Singapore, where it conducts repairs on multiple engine types. 

ST Engineering is the first Asia-Pacific-based maintenance company to join the Leap network. It first became a provider for both the -1A and -1B in 2020 when it started offering quick-turn engine services. It plans to add test cell capability for the -1B at its Singapore site later this year.

“CFM is excited that ST Engineering is expanding its role within the Leap MRO network as a CBSA provider," said Tom Levin, vice president of CFM commercial programs for CFM parent company GE Aerospace. “They have significant experience in the CFM56 network and have already developed experience providing services for Leap engines. This addition to the Leap MRO network will further strengthen the support for our CFM customers.”

Jeffrey Lam, commercial aerospace president at ST Engineering, adds: “As a CBSA provider, ST Engineering will offer deep and broad Leap OEM service solutions to drive down maintenance lifecycle costs and provide fully integrated overhaul and parts repair services for Leap engines.”

Signing a similar agreement is U.S.-based StandardAero, which has also agreed to a CBSA agreement to provide full overhaul and repair services for Leap-1A and -1B engines.

Under the agreement, StandardAero becomes the first non-airline MRO provider in the Americas region to sign a CBSA for both the Leap-1A, which powers the Airbus A320neo family, and the Leap-1B, which powers the Boeing 737 MAX series aircraft.  

StandardAero will support both engine types from its 810,000 ft.² facility in San Antonio. It also operates a large test cell on site, which will provide performance and pass-off testing for the Leap-1A and -1B. 

The independent MRO also plans to develop new engine component repairs and industrialization through its components and accessories division’s network of locations and its repair and development center of excellence, adding to its existing variety of Leap engine component and accessories repair offerings.

The company has previously offered repairs for the CFM56-7B, one of the Leap’s predecessor engines, from its facility in Winnipeg, Canada and more recently from its engine shop in Dallas.

Lewis Prebble, president of airlines and fleets for StandardAero, says the CBSA agreement extends its existing 14-year relationship with CFM as an MRO provider for the CFM56-7B powerplant and continues StandardAero’s expansion of its narrowbody engine support capabilities.  

CFM, a 50-50 partnership between GE Aerospace and Safran, says more than 5,000 LEAP engines have been delivered to customers worldwide since 2016, with more than 10,000 engines still in the backlog.  

The large backlog is reflected in the engine family’s commercial aftermarket projections. Aviation Week’s Fleet & MRO Forecast data projects total MRO spending of $106.8 billion for the engine’s aftermarket from 2023-32.