Safran boosts global LEAP engine support with major network expansion

Safran Aircraft Engines has unveiled an ambitious investment plan, committing over €1 billion to expand its global MRO network to accommodate the growing demand for LEAP engine services worldwide. Developed by CFM International—a joint venture between Safran and GE Aerospace—the LEAP engine, which entered service in 2016, powers nearly 4,000 narrow-body aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC C919 models. This major investment will enable Safran to support the anticipated ramp-up in demand for LEAP aftersales services and provide high-quality MRO solutions close to its customers.

According to Jean-Paul Alary, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines, the expansion addresses the LEAP engine’s remarkable success, having been selected by around 180 airlines globally. To keep pace with increasing demand, Safran’s MRO network will undergo significant expansion across key locations, improving accessibility for customers and minimising the carbon impact of MRO operations. These investments are projected to enable Safran to handle 1,200 annual shop visits by 2028, with 120,000 square metres of new industrial facilities dedicated to LEAP engine maintenance and repair.

New facilities will be established globally to support this growth, including a site in Brussels that opened in early 2024, a facility in Hyderabad set to launch in 2025 and a second MRO shop in Querétaro, Mexico, accompanied by a new testing platform in 2026. Additionally, a Casablanca facility in Morocco is expected to open by 2026, while existing facilities in Villaroche and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France, will be expanded. Safran’s commitment includes bolstering its global repair network, with a new turbine blade repair centre in Rennes, France and possible acquisition of Component Repair Technologies in the U.S.

In line with this expansion, Safran plans to create 4,000 jobs worldwide, emphasising local academic partnerships and training initiatives to foster a skilled workforce across the MRO network. “People are at the heart of this major expansion,” said Nicolas Potier, Executive VP of Support & Services at Safran, underscoring the company’s commitment to developing international training and fostering operational synergies between MRO sites. Safran aims to set new standards in quality, safety, and efficiency, all while advancing its sustainability goals by reducing the carbon footprint of its operations.

This significant expansion is expected to position Safran optimally to meet the needs of its growing customer base and to reinforce its role as a leader in the aircraft engine MRO sector.