CFM and Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance Expand LEAP Open MRO Network

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance has signed a CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) for LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. Under the terms of the CBSA, AFI KLM E&M will provide the full scope of LEAP Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) services for operators worldwide.

Given the commercial success of the LEAP engine has enjoyed, demand for LEAP MRO services will grow rapidly in the coming years. In offering LEAP MRO services, AFI KLM E&M capitalizes on its capabilities and expertise in both the operation and maintenance of its large portfolio of engines.

“CFM is proud to have AFI KLM E&M join the LEAP MRO team," said François Planaud, executive vice president, Support and Services, for CFM parent company Safran Aircraft Engines. “The addition of such a major, reputable provider greatly enhances and strengthens our open MRO network. With its vast experience on engines such as the CFM56, GE90 and GEnx product lines, its innovative capabilities, and its ongoing focus on designing new solutions, AFI KLM E&M will undoubtedly make significant contributions to the continued development of world-class support for the LEAP engine, throughout its life.”

Air France KLM’s choice to purchase 200 LEAP-1A engines to power its new fleet of Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft earlier in the year will also contribute to strengthening the company’s expertise in LEAP services.

“We have a decades-long relationship with AFI KLM E&M and we are grateful to build on that partnership,” said Tom Levin, vice president, After Market Strategic Solutions, for CFM International parent company GE Aerospace. “AFI KLM E&M is already providing LEAP quick-turn services today, so they can immediately provide customers with a competitive solution as the demand for LEAP engine maintenance ramps significantly over the coming years.”

The advanced CFM LEAP engine continues to set new industry standards for fuel efficiency and asset utilization, accumulated more than 23 million engine flight hours and 10 million cycles in commercial operation. The fleet is providing 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 allowed operators to save more than 15 million tons of CO2.

Anne Brachet, executive vice president, Air France-KLM Engineering & Maintenance, said: "We are pleased to join the global maintenance network for the LEAP engine. This CBSA agreement with CFM is a recognition of AFI KLM E&M's know-how and expertise in supporting new-generation engines, and marks another key step in the development of our engine MRO service portfolio. I want to sincerely thank our partner CFM for its ongoing support in scaling up our LEAP activities."

As the world’s largest independent engine MRO service provider, AFI KLM E&M will industrialize the LEAP engine at both of its state-of-the-art MRO facilities in Paris and Amsterdam, giving it both the capacity and the flexibility to answer the needs of this rapidly growing, competitive market.

As an airline-MRO, AFI KLM E&M provides MRO solutions that, in addition to optimizing maintenance cost, also drive sustainability and maximize operator value.

“The open nature of the CFM MRO network creates a competitive environment that is highly beneficial to operators,” said Michael Grootenboer, SVP Group Engine Product, AFI KLM E&M. “It not only drives down cost of ownership throughout the engine lifecycle, but also ensures a continuous push for innovation, enhancing airline value and improving sustainability. As an airline-MRO, we put this drive at the core of our offering to operators worldwide.”