GE Aerospace has announced plans to invest more than $1 billion over five years in its MRO and component repair facilities worldwide.

The firm says the investments will help it add more engine test cells and equipment, introduce cutting-edge technology including enhanced inspection techniques to reduce turnaround times for customers, as well as to expand its component repair capability within its overhaul shops.

Russell Stokes, president and chief executive of commercial engines and services at GE Aerospace, said: “Our customers are experiencing strong air travel demand, and we are investing to increase our capacity and efficiency so we can meet their growing needs and keep their planes flying safely and reliably.

“With this major investment, we are reinforcing our longstanding focus on safety, quality, and delivery for our customers and the flying public.”

GE Aerospace claims the largest portion of the investment will support the growing demand for CFM LEAP engines as the fleet continues to mature and expand with more than 3,300 LEAP-powered aircraft in service and more than 10,000 additional engines currently in backlog.

A major part of the MRO funding this year is earmarked for the construction of a new Services Technology Acceleration Center (STAC) near Cincinnati, Ohio.

Slated to open in September 2024, GE Aerospace says STAC will help accelerate the deployment of innovative service approaches, including inspection technologies that detect emerging issues sooner and reduce airplane downtime for customers.

GE Aerospace says that in total, its regional repair and overhaul facilities across the globe will receive $250 million in 2024 of the $1 billion planned five-year investment to help fund facilities expansion, new machines, tooling, and safety enhancements, including:

• Approximately $65 million in the US (for Cincinnati, Ohio; McAllen, Texas; Lafayette, Indiana; Dallas, Texas; Winfield, Kansas)
• Approximately $60 million in Europe and the Middle East (for Budapest, Hungary; Prestwick, Scotland; London, England; Cardiff, Wales; Wroclaw, Poland; Doha, Qatar; Dubai, UAE)
• Approximately $55 million in South America (for Petropolis, Brazil)
• Approximately $45 million in Asia Pacific (for Singapore; Taipei, Taiwan; Kuala Lumpur Malaysia; Seoul, South Korea).

In April 2024, GE Aerospace officially launched as an independent public company trading as ‘GE’ on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) following the completion of the GE Vernova spin-off.

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