First MRO in Asia to offer full range of LEAP-1A & LEAP-1B services - ST Engineering

CFM International and ST Engineering Commercial Aerospace business have signed a CFM Branded Service Agreement for LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. Under the terms of the CBSA, ST Engineering will provide the full scope of LEAP MRO services for operators worldwide. ST Engineering is the first provider in Asia to join the LEAP MRO network under a CBSA agreement. Comprehensive MRO services will be provided at its engine MRO facility in Singapore.

ST Engineering has been a LEAP MRO network provider since 2020, providing quick-turn services for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. The Group will also add test cell capabilities for LEAP-1B engines this year. This CBSA agreement further expands its scope to provide a full range of maintenance solutions for LEAP engines to the highest standards. CBSA licence holders are conferred the highest level of CFM support and training, as well as expanded access to proprietary overhaul and repair technology as they work with CFM customers globally to provide comprehensive maintenance solutions.

 Tom Levin, VP of CFM Commercial Programmes for CFM parent company GE Aerospace, commented: “CFM is excited that ST Engineering is expanding its role within the LEAP MRO network as a CBSA provider. They have significant experience in the CFM56 network and have already developed experience providing services for LEAP engines. This addition to the LEAP MRO network will further strengthen the support for our CFM customers.”

Jeffrey Lam, Commercial Aerospace President at ST Engineering, said: “We are pleased to further strengthen our long-standing relationship with CFM through this new licence agreement. With the new LEAP partnership, ST Engineering will now have an enhanced portfolio of engine MRO solutions that allows us to serve customers who transition into new-generation aircraft, as we continue our comprehensive and dedicated support for their CFM56 engine needs. As a CBSA provider, ST Engineering will offer deep and broad LEAP OEM service solutions to drive down maintenance lifecycle costs and provide fully integrated overhaul and parts repair services for LEAP engines.”

 Nicolas Potier, VP Support & Services for CFM parent company Safran Aircraft Engines, stated: “This CBSA agreement will enable ST Engineering to expand its LEAP capabilities within the CFM MRO global network. Their longstanding experience with CFM engines is a real asset for our airline customers as the LEAP fleet is growing fast. ST Engineering will be a key player in our ambition to continue offering world-class support to our customers.”

Given the commercial success of the LEAP engine family that entered commercial service in 2016, the demand for LEAP MRO services will grow rapidly in the coming years.  More than 5,000 LEAP engines have been delivered to customers worldwide, with over 10,000 engines still in the backlog. 

The advanced CFM LEAP engines continue to set industry standards for fuel efficiency and high asset utilisation rate and have accumulated more than 29 million engine flight hours and over 13 million cycles in commercial operation. The engines provide up to 20 percent better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions, as well as a significant improvement in noise compared to previous-generation engines. Since its entry into service in 2016, the LEAP engine has enabled operators to save more than 20 million tons of CO2 compared to previous-generation engines.