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LONDON—CFM International is ramping its supply chain and building inventory as it works to cut over to an upgraded configuration of its Leap-1B engine next year.
Having recently achieved both engine and aircraft level certification for its Leap-1B high-pressure (HP) turbine durability kit, CFM aims for a full industrial switch to that configuration in the first quarter of 2027. It is now in the process of producing parts and building inventory to get that configuration into original equipment production and the MRO network.
In addition to the turbine durability kit—extending time on wing—a fuel nozzle-cooling reverse bleed system (RBS) reduces carbon deposit build-up and related maintenance needs. RBS was introduced on the Leap-1A in mid-2024 and is now installed on more than 70% of that fleet. Around 40% of the Leap-1A-powered Airbus A320neos have also been upgraded with the HP turbine durability kit, according to CFM.
“The performance of the RBS and the fuel nozzles is right on target,” said Tom Levin, CFM VP of commercial programs, during a pre-Farnborough briefing in London. “On the Leap-1B, we have achieved engine level certification, and we are partnering closely with Boeing to achieve [Part 25] aircraft level certification in the second half of this year, with high confidence.”
Approaching the 10th anniversary of its entry-into-service in August, the Leap engine program now has nearly 100 million hours of time in flight. In 2026, CFM expects a more than 15% year-over-year increase in its number of delivered Leap engines. It delivered 1,800 in 2025, a company record.
“By 2030, we'll double the Leap install base from where we are today,” Levin said, describing collaborations with its suppliers to unlock more capacity within existing footprints—and to build even more beyond that, in support of that future. CFM is also investing in capability and capacity to support Leap engine aftermarket requirements, with additional capacity coming online this year, including recent expansions in Belgium and Mexico.
“Existing footprints won't be enough to enable the ramp that I talked about, and so there we are also investing significantly in new capacity,” Levin said. That includes Safran’s recent groundbreaking on a new facility in Morocco for Leap-1A production and MRO, and a $1 billion commercial engine production investment announced by GE Aerospace, featuring a particular focus on its Leap ramp-up.
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