WestJet has signed an exclusive 15-year, multi-billion-dollar agreement with Lufthansa Technik (LHT) for the maintenance of its CFM International LEAP-1B engines, which power the airline's Boeing 737 fleet.
As part of the agreement, Lufthansa Technik will establish a new engine repair facility in Calgary, dedicated to servicing LEAP-1B engines for near-wing and quick-turn work. The facility, set to begin operations in 2027, will feature Canada's first modern test cell for next-generation engines, creating jobs and strengthening Calgary's aviation sector. WestJet will be the launch customer for the new repair station.
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech highlighted the significance of the deal, emphasising that bringing engine repair operations to Canada will improve efficiency, cost certainty and competitiveness while supporting the Alberta economy. He described the agreement as a pivotal moment for WestJet, its customers and the wider Western Canadian community.
WestJet, Canada's largest 737 MAX operator, currently has a fleet of over 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, expected to grow to more than 130 by the end of the decade. Lufthansa Technik, a licensed CFM Premier MRO partner, brings extensive expertise in servicing LEAP engines and was the first independent provider recognised for both LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B maintenance.
The new Calgary facility is being developed with support from Canadian government agencies and local partners, reinforcing the region's status as an emerging aviation hub.
