The LEAP engine is a major commercial success, with over 7,500 units in operation, accumulating more than 50 million flight hours, and an order backlog exceeding 10,600 units.
Safran Aircraft Engine Services Brussels Expands Operations with New LEAP Engine Maintenance Facility.
Safran Aircraft Engine Services Brussels, a subsidiary of Safran Aircraft Engines, has inaugurated a new MRO workshop for LEAP engines in the Brussels airport area. The opening ceremony was attended by Jean-Paul Alary, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines; Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport Company local and regional elected officials from Belgium and LEAP customers from around the world.
Safran Aircraft Engines CEO Jean-Paul Alary, said “We are delighted to expand our industrial footprint in the Brussels airport ecosystem, which offers a top-notch blend of skills and low-carbon infrastructure, This new site is a vital link in our global MRO network, helping to support the growing fleet of LEAP engines around the world while reducing our environmental footprint.”
Safran Aircraft Engines has invested €24 million in constructing an 8,500-square-meter workshop to enhance its global MRO network and support the expansion of LEAP services. The majority of aircraft in the new-generation A320neo and B737 MAX single-aisle families are equipped with LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. This new facility strengthens Safran Aircraft Engine Services Brussels’ existing capabilities, which have been part of the Brussels Airport Company ecosystem for nearly 25 years.
Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport, said “This ultra-modern construction marks an important milestone in our partnership with Safran, underlining our commitment to providing world-class infrastructure and services, With advanced energy-efficient technologies and sustainable design, this new facility not only improves operational efficiency, but also reflects our commitment to a sustainable future.”
Safran Aircraft Engine Services Brussels (SAESB) became the first workshop globally certified for the maintenance of the LEAP-1A model in 2016. With over 75 years of experience in aircraft engine MRO, SAESB commenced operations in its new facility this year and aims to increase its throughput to 120 shop visits annually. The new workshop meets the highest environmental standards, achieving carbon neutrality through the use of 100% renewable energy, solar panels on the roof, and circular heating systems.
Nicolas Potier, Vice President Support and Services at Safran Aircraft Engines, said “We’re already working on an extension which will allow us to switch the maintenance of LEAP engine modules to the new workshop by the end of the decade, the aim being to reach a capacity of over 1200 modules per year. This activity is currently handled by our historic facility, This ramp-up in our engine and modules activities is underpinned by an ambitious plan to recruit more than 220 people, which will boost SAESB’s total headcount to 470 by 2027.”
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The LEAP engine is a major commercial success, with over 7,500 units in operation, accumulating more than 50 million flight hours, and an order backlog exceeding 10,600 units. Serving approximately 150 operators worldwide, the next-generation engine offers 15-20% reductions in fuel burn and CO2 emissions, along with significant improvements in noise levels compared to previous generation models. The LEAP engine was developed by CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines (France) and GE Aerospace (United States).
Q. – Where is the new LEAP engine MRO workshop located?
A. – Brussels airport area.
Q. – What is the size of the new workshop?
A. – 8,500 square meters.
