CFM Celebrates Air China's Selection of LEAP-1A Engine

The two parties also signed a letter of intent on LEAP engine MRO capacity

September 28, 2021, Zhuhai, China —At the 13th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, CFM International celebrated that Air China Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Air China") chose LEAP-1A engines for its 30 A320neo aircraft, which are gradually entering into service this year. In addition, Air China and CFM also signed a letter of intent to strengthen the LEAP engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capacity of Sichuan Services Aero-engine Maintenance Co., Ltd. (SSAMC), a joint venture between the two companies

"We are delighted to be able to further our long-term relationship with CFM. High reliability and utilization rate of engines is key to the development of airlines in the post-epidemic era, ” Ni Jiliang, chief engineer of Air China, said, "The LEAP engine MRO capacity building intention agreement signed with CFM will enable SSAMC to provide better service for domestic and foreign customers and become a globally competitive aero-engine maintenance base."

SSAMC, formally established in 2010, is a joint venture between Air China and CFM with 60% and 40% investment respectively. It is also the first Sino-foreign joint venture dedicated to the MRO of CFM56 and LEAP series engines in China. To date, SSAMC has completed the overhaul of more than 1,000 engines and the on-wing support service of more than 1,500 engines for customers all over the world.

"Air China is a strategic partner. We are deeply honored to be continuously recognized by Air China." Weiming Xiang, president of CFM International Greater China, said, "China has been leading the development of the global narrow body market, especially after experiencing the test of the pandemic. Promoting SSAMC’s LEAP engine MRO capacity building is of great significance for ensuring the stable growing of LEAP engine fleet."

LEAP-1A engine has been delivered to Chinese customers since June 2018. As of today, there are 10 airlines in Greater China operating A320neo powered by LEAP-1A engine. The cumulative flight hours of LEAP-1A engines operating in China have exceeded 2 million.