CFM International has received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its LEAP-1B high-pressure turbine (HPT) durability kit, marking another milestone in the continuous maturation of the LEAP engine family.
The newly certified HPT durability kit is designed to significantly extend engine time on wing, particularly for aircraft operating in demanding environments such as India and the Middle East, where high temperatures, dust and harsh operating conditions accelerate engine wear. CFM said the upgrade is expected to double on-wing life in these regions. Industrialization of the hardware is already underway, with full-scale production planned from early 2027.
In a parallel development, the company has also secured initial engine-level certification for the LEAP-1B Reverse Bleed System (RBS). The innovative cooling system is intended to reduce the frequency of on-wing fuel nozzle replacements, helping align maintenance intervals with the proven reliability standards of the CFM56 engine family.
The certifications represent another step in CFM’s strategy to improve engine durability while lowering maintenance requirements and lifecycle costs for airline operators.
“These systems will increase time between shop visits while also reducing maintenance burden, especially for customers in severe environments,” said Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International. “This means customers will benefit from longer time on wing in addition to the exceptional efficiency, reliability, and utilization that LEAP engines already deliver.”
The latest developments build on the progress already achieved across the LEAP-1A fleet, where approximately 70% of engines are now operating with the Reverse Bleed System, while 40% have been upgraded with the HPT durability kit.
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The announcement also coincides with the tenth anniversary of the LEAP-1A engine’s entry into commercial service on August 2. Since its introduction, CFM has delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines worldwide, which have collectively accumulated over 100 million flight hours.
Reflecting on the programme’s growth, Méheust noted that while it took 17 years to deliver 10,000 CFM56 engines, the same milestone has been achieved by the LEAP programme in just a decade. He added that CFM remains focused on further enhancing engine durability, availability and overall cost of ownership to support operators as the global LEAP fleet continues to expand.
