CFM International has entered agreements with Lufthansa Technik and AFI KLM E&M to provide aftermarket services such as maintenance and overhaul support for its LEAP engine product line.

The company has previously granted licenses to both Lufthansa Technik and AFI KLM E&M to develop maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) service offerings featuring on-wing and on-site support, as well as engine overhaul processes for the LEAP engines.

The proposed third-party sites are scheduled to become operational over the next few years and will serve the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine operators.

CFM has developed the LEAP brand of engines to power commercial aircraft. The first LEAP-1A-powered Airbus A320neo aircraft made its debut with Pegasus Airlines last year.

More than 20 airlines are currently operating a combined total of around 100 aircraft powered by various LEAP engine models.

“The engine is doing very well and our customers are pleased with the high utilisation and great fuel efficiency the engine is bringing to their operations.”

CFM International president and CEO Gaël Méheust said: “We committed a competitive LEAP overhaul approach to our customers, similar to what they have enjoyed with the CFM56 family.

“We just passed the one-year anniversary of the LEAP entry into service.  The engine is doing very well and our customers are pleased with the high utilisation and great fuel efficiency the engine is bringing to their operations.

“When these engines eventually do need to be overhauled, our customers will have a choice.”

CFM currently operates three MRO units in the US, Belgium and France to support the LEAP engine’s entry into commercial service.

The site in Lafayette, Indiana in the US supports both the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine models, while the sites in Brussels, Belgium, and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in France serve the LEAP-1A engine and LEAP-1B engine operators respectively.

Additionally, CFM has set up worldwide On-Site Support (OSS) capabilities to serve customers with extended on-wing support.