Ethiopian Airlines has inaugurated its CFM Leap-1B engine test cell at the Addis Ababa MRO Services facility, granting it full testing capability for the Leap-1B engine, the exclusive powerplant for Boeing's new-generation 737 MAX single-aisle jet.
Ethiopian Airlines Group Chief Executive Officer, Mesfin Tasew, expressed pride in achieving full testing capability for the CFM Leap-1B engine at the modern MRO facility in Addis Ababa. This state-of-the-art facility will enable the finalisation of the performance restoration shop visit (PRSV1) repair capability on the engine, expected to be ready very soon. He extended appreciation to SAE, GE and other partners who contributed to this success.
The newly launched Leap-1B testing facility positions Ethiopian Airlines as the fifth facility globally outside the Safran Aero Engines (SAE) and General Electric (GE) network, and the first in the Middle East and Africa to possess such advanced capability. Ethiopian Airlines plans to complete the Phase 2 – performance restoration shop visit (PRSV1) project by the end of September 2024, enabling the airline to offer Leap-1B PRSV solutions for customers in the region and beyond.
Ethiopian owns the largest MRO service facility in Africa. Established in 1957, Ethiopian MRO Services provides line maintenance services at stations where Ethiopian flies and extends the services to African and Middle Eastern operators. The MRO facility is fully equipped with hangars, engine and component maintenance workshops, with all necessary equipment to repair and overhaul aircraft, engines and components.