Tata-Led Air India Places Record Order For 800 CFM International Leap Engines; MRO Facility Progressing As Planned For 2025

Air India has taken a significant step towards expanding its fleet by finalising an order with CFM International for LEAP engines, to power its new fleet of 400 narrow-body planes.

The deal includes 210 Airbus A320/A321 neo and 190 Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft.

In a release on Thursday (20 July), CFM International announced that the order also includes a multi-year service agreement that will cover Air India's entire fleet of LEAP engines.

This agreement ensures comprehensive support and maintenance for the engines, guaranteeing their optimal performance.

The collaboration between Air India and CFM International has a long-standing history. Air India has been a loyal customer of CFM since 2002, when it began operating Airbus A320 neo aircraft equipped with CFM56-5B engines.

In 2017, the airline further expanded its partnership by operating the A320 neo with LEAP-1A engines, becoming the first LEAP-1A-powered operator in India.

Currently, Air India's fleet boasts 27 LEAP-1A-powered A320 neo family aircraft.

Meanwhile, Safran is on track to open its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility of the LEAP engines in Hyderabad by the end of 2025.

This facility will be the largest MRO facility of CFM Leap engines in the world. The other two facilities in Mexico and France services only CFM56 engines, a predecessor of LEAP engines.

According to Safran, initially the facility will employ 200 skilled workers, with the workforce expanding to a maximum of 1,000.

Moreover, the upcoming MRO facility in Hyderabad will play a vital role in ensuring the seamless operation of the engines, further strengthening Safran's presence in the Indian market and positioning Hyderabad as a key hub for MRO services in the region particularly in south-asian markets.

Earlier this year, Air India displayed its ambitious growth plans by placing orders for 470 aircraft, including 70 wide-body planes.

With this new agreement with CFM International, Air India's commitment to enhancing its fleet's performance and efficiency is evident.

CFM International, an equal joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, is renowned for its cutting-edge aircraft engine technology, making it a fitting partner for Air India's expansion endeavors.