AJW logoAJW logo

24/7 AOG Critical Response

HotlinePhoneUK +44 1403 798888US +1 877 780 2008

Our award winning global AOG service is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Please call +44 1403 798888 or email aog@ajw-group.com.

CLOSE
AJW logoAJW account

AJW CUSTOMER ACCOUNT

LOGIN OR CREATE AN ACCOUNT

Existing AJW customers can benefit from a secure online account, giving instant access to the real-time information you need, when you need it most.

CLOSE

LARA – CFMs LEAP Engines - Leap of Faith

15 Jun 2025

CFM International’s LEAP engine family entered the market with promises of exceptional fuel efficiency and top-tier performance. Now, the earliest engines are nearing their first performance restoration shop visits. Have they lived up to the value expectations, and is the MRO industry equipped to handle the complex demands of maintaining these highly advanced engines? LARA Magazine investigates.

Reporting for LARA Magazine, Rob Munro talks to industry experts about CFM International’s LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engine. The engine, which powers the Airbus A320neo family, the Boeing 737 MAX variants, and the COMAC C919, is now firmly established in the low-fare and regional aviation sector. 

Speaking to AJW Group’s Director of Engines, Wasim Akhtar, Munro asks how airlines and MRO providers in the UK and globally are preparing to meet the wave of demand for CFM LEAP maintenance cycles.  

Akhtar states that airlines should look to secure long-term repair agreements, either directly with CFM or through third-party independent MROs licensed by the OEM. 

These agreements allow for better planning and cost control around quick-turn and extensive maintenance events, which are expected to increase significantly in the coming years,” he expands.  

Continuing, he shares that “suppliers like AJW have been investing in acquiring aircraft powered by LEAP engines. This strategic move ensures access to critical components and allows for timely support to both airlines and MROs as demand for spare parts intensifies.” 

 

LARA – CFMs LEAP Engines - Leap of Faith

Munro then asks for Akhtar’s opinion on how the operational costs, particularly maintenance, will measure against the initial projections made by CFM International. 

AJW Group’s Director of Engines replies that it is too early to accurately predict the total cost of ownership. However, several key factors will come into play, such as engine reliability, the frequency of maintenance events, the availability of USM, and the efficiency of the MRO network.  

Ultimately, determining whether the LEAP engine meets its cost-effectiveness expectations compared to the CFM56 will depend on the quality and transparency of operational data across the industry. A clear picture of the true cost of ownership is unlikely to emerge for at least another decade,” Akhtar concludes.  

A button to click through to the complete article

 

Looking for a world-leading engine partner? Get in touch with AJW Group’s engine experts today.  

PreviousNext

2 Jul 2025

Aviation Maintenance Magazine – Avionics an...

More

5 Jun 2025

MRO Business Today – Sustainability and Gre...

More

29 Apr 2025

Airliner World – AJW Technique: More than t...

More

14 Apr 2025

LARA - Used Serviceable Material 

More

11 Apr 2025

AJW Group announces B737NG PBH support contra...

More

8 Apr 2025

AJW Group announces A321 Power-By-the-Hour su...

More

LinkedInInstagram
Send
Cancel

Thank you for getting in touch