Israel Aerospace Industries has received approvals from regulators in the U.S. and Europe to conduct quick-turn maintenance services on CFM International Leap 1A engines.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced the certification, granted by the FAA and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), on July 25. The approval will enable the company's IAI Bedek engines division to become part of the aftermarket network for the narrowbody engine, which powers Airbus A320neo aircraft.
Tel Aviv-based IAI also confirmed it is in the final stages of extending the FAA and EASA certifications to the Leap 1B engine, which is the sole option for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
The latest approval adds to IAI’s commercial engine maintenance offerings, which also include CFM56-3/5/7s, IAE V2500s, Pratt & Whitney PW4000s and several auxiliary power unit models. It also operates seven test cells up to 70,000-lb. of thrust.
IAI says it sees the aftermarket sector as a key growth driver for its IAI Aviation Group division alongside other additional activities such as passenger-to-freighter conversion services. It converts Boeing 747, 767, 777, 737NG and the 737 classic aircraft across several locations.
Ido Ben Cnaan, vice president and general manager of IAI Aviation Group's MRO division, says obtaining certification for Leap 1A quick-turn level maintenance represents a significant step in the ramp-up of its aftermarket capabilities.
“We will also reach the full overhaul capability for Leap engines next year,” he says. “Additionally, we are working on expanding and upgrading our engine MRO facility to increase capacity and slot availability. These are key steps that are an essential component of our ongoing strategic preparations to meet the continually growing market demand for our services."
The addition of IAI to the Leap network also further expands the aftermarket operation for the engine, which is generating further demand for quick-turn services and hospital shop visits. Before the addition of IAI, CFM International's Leap network included eight shops operated by its Safran and GE Aerospace joint venture partners, 10-onsite shops providing quick-turn services and five external MRO partners in its open Leap network around the world.
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