CFM President and CEO Gaël Méheust (left) and Iberia President and CEO Marco Sansavini.
The International Airlines Group (IAG) signed a licensing agreement with CFM International to make Iberia Maintenance the latest Leap Premier MRO shop. The license covers both the Leap-1A and Leap-1B, which respectively power the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, even though the A320 dominates IAG airlines’ narrowbody fleets.
Iberia Maintenance’s engine shop near Madrid-Barajas Airport plans to induct its first Leap engine in the first quarter of 2027. It initially will be positioned to support European operators—including IAG member airlines—but will progressively expand to service operators from around the world.
By being a CFM Leap Premier member, Iberia Maintenance will have access to proprietary overhaul and repair technology, as well as training and support from CFM. Because CFM has an open aftermarket for its engines, Premier members compete against CFM and third-party providers for MRO contracts.
The Leap engine fleet is rapidly expanding. More than 4,600 Leap engines are operating, and Aviation Week’s Fleet Discovery data shows that more than 8,600 Leap engines are on order.
“We’re forecasting CFM Leap shop visits to increase significantly by the end of this decade as the fleet continues to expand. The addition of IAG to the Leap MRO network reflects our commitment to an open ecosystem” for aftermarket support, says Gaël Méheust, CFM International president and CEO.
Iberia has maintained the CFM56 engine since 1992.
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