MTU Maintenance Zhuhai now has the capability to maintain CFM International LEAP engines. The General Support License Agreement (GSLA) signed between China Southern, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai’s 50/50 joint venture partner alongside MTU Aero Engines, and CFM International will enable the facility to maintain, repair and overhaul LEAP-1A and -1B engines.
The first quick-turn LEAP-1B engine was inducted on September 10. Alongside the newly introduced capabilities, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai was also celebrating groundbreaking on its 50% expansion, taking it to a capacity of 450 shop visits by 2021.
The fleet of CFM International’s advanced LEAP engine is building up rapidly, logging more than five million engine flight hours through August, just three years after commencing commercial service.
MTU Maintenance Zhuhai has carried out significant preparations for the implementation of the LEAP program at its facility in the Zhuhai Free Trade Zone, close to Hong Kong and Macao. These include the procurement of tooling and testing equipment, review of technical documents, employee training as well as obtaining the necessary aviation authority approvals.
The LEAP engine is a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines.
