The CFM LEAP program matched the decades-long delivery milestones of the legacy CFM56 in just nine years, but lower-than-expected durability is challenging airlines with early removals.
Aviation Week's MRO Podcast
The CFM LEAP program matched the decades-long delivery milestones of the legacy CFM56 in just nine years, but lower-than-expected durability is challenging airlines with early removals.
TL;DR
As the CFM LEAP engine program approaches its tenth anniversary in service, commercial aviation is experiencing a profound transition. The LEAP has reached delivery milestones in just nine years that took its predecessor, the CFM56, three decades to achieve [1] "The CFM LEAP has grown at an unprecedented rate, reaching in 9 years the delivery volume that took the legacy CFM56 three decades to achiev…" 01:42 . However, lower-than-expected durability is forcing engines off-wing earlier than anticipated, offsetting fuel burn advantages [2] "The LEAP operates at much higher temperatures than the legacy CFM56, causing pronounced teething issues like the reverse bleed system defec…" 03:23 [3] "Lower engine durability has forced early removals and retrofits on next-generation engines. While fuel burn efficiency is exceptional, the …" 04:46 . The podcast explores how airlines, lessors, and MRO shops in the expanding Premier network are navigating these early-removal challenges to stabilize the global narrowbody fleet [4] "CFM's Premier MRO network is rapidly expanding to meet escalating service demands, adding Iberia Maintenance as its seventh engine shop. Ib…" 08:58 . The single most useful takeaway is that despite the massive LEAP ramp-up, the mature CFM56 will still drive over 26,000 overhauls over the next decade [5] "Despite the massive scale of the new LEAP fleet, the mature CFM56 will still account for 26,000 engine overhauls over the next decade, outp…" 14:02 .
As the CFM Leap program nears its 10th anniversary of entering service, Aviation Week's Lee Ann Shay, James Pozzi and Dan Williams examine the ramp-up, MRO network, reliability and forecast for this popular engine that powers the Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and Comac C919.
No indexed bits in this chapter.
The CFM LEAP has grown at an unprecedented rate, reaching in 9 years the delivery volume that took the legacy CFM56 three decades to achieve. This year, LEAP deliveries will officially surpass those of its highly relied-upon predecessor.
Lower engine durability has forced early removals and retrofits on next-generation engines. While fuel burn efficiency is exceptional, the costs associated with taking engines off-wing earlier than anticipated are eroding some of those economic benefits.
Current high spare engine ratios reflect temporary technical disruptions, not long-term structural demand. Once durability issues are solved, the industry risks an oversupply of spare engines, which could cause lessor lease rents to collapse.
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Factual claims made this episode, and whether a source was named.
All Boeing 737 Max aircraft are delivered with CFM LEAP engines.
Slightly north of 50% of the Airbus A320neo family is currently delivered with CFM LEAP engines.
The CFM LEAP program matched the decades-long delivery milestones of the legacy CFM56 in just nine years.
Certain CFM LEAP high-pressure turbine blades have a 10,000-cycle limit causing early removals.
Southwest Airlines is planning to transition to an all-LEAP fleet by 2031 with the Boeing 737 MAX.
There were eight internal overhaul sites operated by GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines in early 2026.
Iberia Maintenance in Spain will join the CFM Premier MRO network as the seventh shop in early 2027.
Aviation Week forecasts 24,000 CFM LEAP engine deliveries for new build aircraft over the coming decade.
Aviation Week expects nearly 32,000 to 33,000 CFM LEAP engines in service by 2035.
Aviation Week anticipates 15,000 CFM56 engines to remain in service by the end of the decade.
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One of the five founding members of the Premier MRO network.
The joint venture company behind the LEAP and CFM56 engine lines.
A joint-venture partner in CFM International and a primary manufacturer of the engine.
Announced as the seventh shop to join the premier network starting in 2027.
A joint-venture partner in CFM International and a primary manufacturer of the engine.
Discussed as transitioning to an all-LEAP fleet by 2031 using Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
Major European airline group whose member airlines will feed engine work to Iberia Maintenance.
The primary engine program being discussed as it approaches its 10th anniversary of entering service.
The legacy predecessor engine to the CFM LEAP, which continues to drive high overhaul volumes.
One of the primary twin-engine single-aisle aircraft families powered by the CFM LEAP.
The Boeing narrowbody twin-engine aircraft family powered exclusively by the CFM LEAP.
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