DUBAI—Thai Airways is building a new CFM Leap 1A engine shop at Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport to service the airline’s incoming Airbus A321neo fleet.
Speaking at the IATA Annual General Meeting here in Dubai, Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri tells Aviation Week that the facility will be ready "in a year's time." In addition to supporting the flag-carrier's dozen A321neos, which are due to arrive in 2025-26, the shop will offer services to other Leap operators.
Chai does not say whether the CFM engine choice was directly related to issues with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G. The new MRO shop, however, underlines how Thai Airways wants to bolster its own resiliency in case of future disruptions.
Aviation Week Network's Fleet Discovery database shows there are 136 in-service A320neo-family aircraft equipped with Leap 1A engines in the Asia-Pacific region, with another 727 on order. In Thailand, there are currently 12 A320neos being flown, all operated by Thai AirAsia.
