Air France-KLM Group's MRO unit has launched support services for the CFM International Leap engines that power Airbus A320neo-family and Boeing 737 Max jets.

The maintenance provider says its initial services cover both on-wing support and shop visits. "We are deploying engineering capabilities tailored to operator requirements in the early years of Leap operations," states Air France-KLM executive vice-president engineering & maintenance Anne Brachet.

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance will, it adds, develop a "complete set" of MRO services for Leap engines and support the type at its overhaul shops in Amsterdam and Paris. CFM56 engines are currently overhauled at both locations.

Leap support will include predictive maintenance services based on AFI KLM E&M's own "Prognos" software tool.

The Leap series is identified in AFI KLM E&M's strategic development plan as a "major growth driver" alongside other new-generation engines including the General Electric GEnx and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB, which respectively power 787 and A350 long-haul aircraft.

Air France-KLM – which operates large A320ceo and 737NG fleets – has not to date placed any orders for the re-engined successor engines.

Source: Cirium Dashboard