Air China and CFM International have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to strengthen the LEAP engine MRO capability of its joint venture Sichuan Services Aero-engine Maintenance (SSAMC).

The LEAP-1A engine was introduced into Air China’s fleet earlier this year.

“We are delighted to be able to further our long-term relationship with CFM,” said Air China’s chief engineer Ni Jiliang. “High reliability and utilisation rate of engines is key to the recovery of airlines in the post-epidemic era. The LoI to build LEAP engine MRO capacity will enable SSAMC to provide better service for domestic and foreign customers and become a globally competitive aero-engine maintenance base.”

SSAMC was formally established in 2010, with a 60 and 40 per cent investment between Air China and CFM respectively. It is also the first Sino-foreign joint venture dedicated to the MRO of CFM56 and LEAP series engines in China. To date, SSAMC has completed the overhaul of more than 1,000 engines and the on-wing support service of more than 1,500 engines for customers all over the world, the partners said.

“Air China is both a strategically important customer and partner. We are deeply honoured to be continuously recognised by Air China,” said CFM International Greater China’s president Weiming Xiang. “China has important to the recovery of the global narrowbody market during the pandemic. Promoting SSAMC’s LEAP engine MRO capacity is of great significance for ensuring the stable growing of LEAP engine fleet.”