Increasing Demand for CFM LEAP Work Requires Some Improvements Around the GE Network

GE Aerospace announced that it would put $1 billion into its global maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) network, intending to improve shop throughput, turnaround time, and customer service across its widebody and narrowbody fleets.

As such, all 19 of GE Aerospace’s MRO and component repair sites will get funding to upgrade equipment, machines, and tooling where needed. There seems to be wide latitude to act, for each individual site, allowing some to improve facility infrastructure or accelerate the adoption of approved tech - pretty much anything as long as it meets the goal of improved service for the end user. Much of the money will go to expanding capacity at GE's sites specializing in the maintenance of CFM LEAP engines, though, since it's the fastest growing demand served by their MRO arm. The LEAP engine is a joint GE and Safran endeavor, powering more than 3,300 commercial aircraft in the global fleet, with 10,000 engines more set to enter service already in the order books. That "translates to thousands more commercial jets coming online over the next decade," GE notes, "all of which will require service."

“Our key role is to provide our customers with a differentiated experience, and to make sure that when an engine is removed from a customer’s wing we perform high quality maintenance and get it back to them as soon as possible,” says Farah Borges, vice president of assembly and test, maintenance, repair, and overhaul at GE Aerospace. “Each one of our overhaul and repair sites is going to receive some level of investment to support their requirements and the technology advancements we need. We’re earmarking significant investment for the expansion of the LEAP network to support the growing LEAP fleet.”

A few upgrades were already cited as projects under the $1 billion funding spree, like the overhaul of LEAP MRO sites in Malaysia and Brazil. Those two "will be growing their capacity through facility expansions, new tooling, improved processes, and advanced technologies." Another XEOS site in Poland will be converted from servicing other engine families into focusing entirely on the LEAP.

FMI: www.geaerospace.com