MRO & Manufacturing
SR Technics and Safran Extend LEAP-1A Engine Overhaul Partnership
SR Technics and Safran extend their LEAP-1A engine overhaul agreement for 8 years, enhancing Zurich MRO capacity and supporting Airbus A320neo maintenance.
SR Technics and Safran Aircraft Engines have reinforced their long-standing collaboration through an eight-year extension of their agreement for the full overhaul and testing of CFM International’s LEAP-1A engines. This milestone builds upon earlier partnerships and reflects the growing global demand for advanced engine maintenance solutions, particularly as the Airbus A320neo family, powered by the LEAP-1A, continues to expand its footprint in commercial aviation.
The extended agreement enables SR Technics to capitalize on its advanced maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities in Zurich, developed with Safran’s support. It also positions the company as a critical node in Safran’s global MRO ecosystem, designed to meet the surging needs of next-generation engine fleets. The collaboration addresses key industry challenges, including supply chain constraints, workforce readiness, and the need for sustainable operations.
The partnership between SR Technics and Safran Aircraft Engines has evolved steadily over the past several years. In 2023, the two companies signed a five-year agreement focused on quick-turn maintenance offload support for the LEAP-1A engine. This followed earlier collaborations involving the CFM56 and LEAP-1B engines, laying the groundwork for broader cooperation in MRO services.
A significant milestone came in 2022 when SR Technics reactivated its Test Cell 2 in Zurich. This facility, retrofitted with advanced acoustic and aerodynamic technologies, was specifically designed to accommodate LEAP-1A, LEAP-1B, and CFM56 engines. The test cell also integrated sustainability features such as energy recovery systems and particulate filters, aligning with broader environmental goals.
These developments enabled SR Technics to obtain EASA and FAA approvals for a range of LEAP engine maintenance activities. Over time, the company has expanded its capabilities and workforce, establishing itself as a trusted MRO provider within Safran’s network. The latest agreement represents the culmination of these efforts, solidifying a decade-long partnership focused on technological integration and capacity building.
The eight-year extension centers on the LEAP-1A engine, which powers the Airbus A320neo family and has logged more than 45.8 million flight hours globally as of April 2025. Under the agreement, SR Technics will perform full engine overhauls, including disassembly, inspection, repair, and testing, at its Zurich facility. These operations will be conducted using Safran-certified processes and tooling, ensuring high standards of quality and reliability.
To meet the demands of this agreement, SR Technics has made significant infrastructure and workforce investments. The reactivated Test Cell 2 in Zurich enables simultaneous testing of LEAP-1A, LEAP-1B, and CFM56 engines, reducing turnaround times by 15 to 20 percent compared to industry norms. Additionally, over 400 technicians have been trained through Safran-led programs, focusing on specialized repair techniques such as combustion chamber coatings and high-pressure turbine shroud maintenance.
These capabilities position SR Technics to handle 150 to 200 LEAP-1A shop visits annually by 2026. This is particularly important in a market where demand for engine MRO services is outpacing available capacity. The LEAP program itself is one of the most extensive in aviation history, with over 5,000 engines currently in service and another 10,000 on order. “This extended collaboration allows us to provide world-class new-generation engine maintenance services to LEAP-1A operators. It underpins our investments in infrastructure, talent, and technology.” , Owen McClave, CEO, SR Technics
The agreement is a strategic move within Safran’s broader plan to build a decentralized MRO ecosystem for LEAP engines. By integrating SR Technics into this network, Safran aims to mitigate supply chain risks and ensure fleet readiness for its airline customers. Nicolas Potier, EVP of Customer Support at Safran, emphasized the importance of this approach, noting that it “maximizes fleet utilization” through a diversified network of MRO providers.
Safran’s strategy is timely, given the operational challenges facing next-generation engines. For instance, LEAP engines have experienced accelerated wear in some components, such as combustion chambers, necessitating more frequent inspections. By expanding its MRO network, Safran can better manage these issues and avoid the disruptions seen with other engine programs, such as Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G, which faced significant grounding rates in 2024.
SR Technics’ role in this ecosystem also provides a competitive edge in the European market. While other MRO providers like StandardAero and Lufthansa Technik are expanding their LEAP capabilities, SR Technics holds a unique position in offering full overhauls for LEAP-1A engines, particularly for European operators. This is significant as Airbus ramps up production of the A320neo, targeting 75 deliveries per month by 2026.
Industry leaders have underscored the strategic importance of the agreement. In addition to statements from SR Technics and Safran executives, independent analysts have highlighted the role of advanced technologies in enhancing MRO efficiency. For example, SR Technics has implemented AI-driven predictive maintenance tools that can reduce unscheduled engine removals by up to 40 percent, according to Research Nester.
These innovations are not merely technical upgrades; they represent a shift in how MRO services are delivered and valued. Jean-Marc Lenz, former CEO of SR Technics, noted that “adding state-of-the-art engines to our portfolio required redefining workforce skills,” pointing to the need for continuous training and adaptation in the face of evolving technologies.
Analysts also point to the agreement as a model for future collaborations. By aligning operational capabilities with strategic goals, SR Technics and Safran have created a framework that other MRO providers may seek to emulate. This includes integrating sustainability measures, enhancing workforce readiness, and leveraging predictive analytics to improve service outcomes.
The SR Technics-Safran agreement reflects several broader trends in the global MRO industry. One key trend is the regionalization of MRO capacity. With a significant portion of LEAP-1A operators based in Europe and Asia, localized maintenance hubs like SR Technics’ Zurich facility help reduce logistical delays and improve service efficiency.
Sustainability is another major focus. The Zurich test cell incorporates electrostatic particulate filters and energy recovery systems, aligning with IATA’s goals for reducing aviation’s environmental impact. These features not only improve operational efficiency but also support broader industry efforts to meet carbon reduction targets by 2030. Finally, supply chain resilience remains a critical concern. Safran’s partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for turbine part manufacturing ensures a stable supply of critical components. This is particularly important given ongoing shortages in materials like titanium, which are essential for high-performance engine parts.
The extended agreement between SR Technics and Safran Aircraft Engines marks a significant development in the aviation MRO sector. It not only strengthens a long-standing partnership but also addresses key industry challenges related to capacity, sustainability, and supply chain resilience. By anchoring LEAP-1A overhaul capabilities in Zurich, the collaboration provides a strategic advantage for both companies and their airline customers.
Looking ahead, the agreement serves as a blueprint for future collaborations in the MRO space. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this one will play a pivotal role in shaping the infrastructure, technologies, and workforce needed to support next-generation fleets. The focus will likely shift towards expanding these capabilities into emerging markets, particularly in Asia, where demand for narrowbody aircraft is projected to grow significantly.
What is the LEAP-1A engine? What does the SR Technics-Safran agreement include? Why is this agreement significant for the aviation industry? Sources:
SR Technics and Safran Aircraft Engines Extend LEAP-1A Engine Overhaul Partnership: Strategic Implications for Aviation MRO
Historical Evolution of the SR Technics-Safran Collaboration
Technical and Operational Details of the LEAP-1A Overhaul Agreement
Strategic Implications for the MRO Industry
Expert Perspectives and Industry Endorsements
Global MRO Trends and Future Outlook
Conclusion
FAQ
The LEAP-1A is a high-bypass turbofan engine developed by CFM International, used primarily on the Airbus A320neo family of aircraft.
The agreement covers the full overhaul and testing of LEAP-1A engines at SR Technics’ Zurich facility, including disassembly, inspection, repair, and reassembly.
It addresses growing demand for LEAP engine maintenance, enhances regional MRO capacity, and supports Safran’s strategy to build a global MRO ecosystem.
AviationPros,
Safran Group,
SR Technics,
Aviation Week,
Research Nester
Photo Credit: SR Technics
MRO & Manufacturing
PPG Invests $70 Million to Expand Aerospace Transparencies in Alabama
PPG commits $70M to a new 112,000-sq-ft facility in Huntsville, AL, to scale aircraft window manufacturing capacity.
Global coatings and specialty materials supplier PPG has committed $70 million to expand its aerospace transparencies manufacturing footprint in Huntsville, Alabama, adding a 112,000-square-foot facility to support increased production of aircraft windows.
Announced in a press release on October 7, 2026, the investment involves leasing and building out a new site dedicated to production support functions. Relocating these operations will free up manufacturing space at PPG’s existing Huntsville plant, allowing the company to scale output of cockpit and passenger windows for commercial, military, and general aviation customers.
The expansion project is designed to address rising demand across multiple aviation sectors as aircraft manufacturers increase production rates. By shifting production support functions to the newly leased 112,000-square-foot building, PPG will optimize its primary manufacturing floor for higher throughput and future equipment installations.
“This expansion increases our operational efficiency, provides room for future equipment investments and reinforces our long-term commitment to serving customers and investing in Huntsville,” said Francois Buehlmann, General Manager, Global Transparencies, Aerospace at PPG. Buehlmann noted that demand for aerospace transparencies continues to grow across the commercial, military, and general aviation markets. The company views the Huntsville region, where it has operated its aerospace transparencies manufacturing facility for more than 55 years, as a critical hub for its aerospace network.
“Huntsville is recognized globally for innovation and leadership in aerospace,” Buehlmann added. “We are proud to continue investing in this community and look forward to growing alongside the region’s dynamic aerospace network.”
The $70 million capital injection in Alabama aligns with a broader capacity expansion strategy detailed by PPG leadership earlier in the year. During an aerospace business presentation to analysts on June 9, 2026, the company highlighted strategic investments aimed at capturing multi-year industry demand, driving long-term organic sales growth, and delivering customer productivity.
PPG, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, reported total net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025. The company operates a dedicated aerospace division supplying coatings, sealants, engineered materials, and transparencies to customers in more than 50 countries.
In the highly competitive global aircraft transparencies sector, PPG holds an estimated market share between 14 percent and 17 percent. The company competes directly with other major aerospace suppliers, including GKN Aerospace, Saint-Gobain, and Gentex Corporation. The global market for aircraft windows and canopies is currently driven by the rapid expansion of commercial aviation fleets and ongoing military procurement programs.
The press release did not specify an exact completion date for the Huntsville build-out, noting only that the investment is part of a series of multi-year projects supporting the company’s aerospace growth objectives.
Optimizing manufacturing for increased throughput
Strategic positioning in the global transparencies market
Photo Credit: PPG
MRO & Manufacturing
Deutsche Aircraft Gets Automated Logistics Center for D328eco
Jungheinrich delivered an automated logistics center at Leipzig/Halle Airport to support D328eco turboprop serial production.
Jungheinrich AG has officially handed over a fully automated logistics center to Deutsche Aircraft GmbH at Leipzig/Halle Airport, completing a critical infrastructure component for the upcoming D328eco regional turboprop production line.
The October 6, 2026 handover follows the recent inauguration of the manufacturer’s €100 million Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Saxony. According to a joint press release, the facility represents the first industrial deployment combining Jungheinrich’s PowerCube automated compact bin storage system and an automated very narrow aisle warehouse under a single control system.
The logistics center is designed to support Deutsche Aircraft’s “Factory 4.0” industrialization strategy, which emphasizes paperless, highly automated, and carbon-neutral manufacturing processes. The partnership between the two German companies was initially announced on October 14, 2025, with the goal of creating a highly space-efficient material supply chain for the D328eco program.
The completed facility utilizes two primary automated storage solutions managed by a unified control system. The Jungheinrich PowerCube, an automated compact bin storage system, occupies a footprint of just 210 square meters. Within this space, the system accommodates more than 6,500 containers stacked across 26 levels. This high-density storage is designed to manage the thousands of small components required for commercial aircraft assembly.
Alongside the PowerCube, Jungheinrich installed an automated very narrow aisle warehouse, designated as AutoVNA. This segment of the logistics center manages 624 pallet locations distributed across two aisles, handling larger components and bulk materials necessary for the manufacturing process.
Deutsche Aircraft Vice President Operations & Production Sebastian Böhnl highlighted the operational necessity of the new infrastructure.
As we prepare to ramp up production towards a capacity of up to 48 aircraft per year, the D328eco programme requires a logistics infrastructure that can scale alongside it. The Jungheinrich PowerCube and AutoVNA provide exactly that, ensuring every part is available when it is needed for assembly, all within a significantly smaller footprint than any other solution we evaluated. The handover of the logistics center is a direct follow-on to the official inauguration of the D328eco Final Assembly Line, which took place on September 29, 2026. The new production complex at Leipzig/Halle Airport spans 60,500 square meters and represents an investment exceeding €100 million.
The facility is engineered to support a maximum production rate of up to 48 aircraft per year once fully operational. To support this ramp-up phase between 2026 and 2027, Deutsche Aircraft plans to onboard approximately 250 employees at the Leipzig site. The logistics center will serve as the material heartbeat of this operation, ensuring that components flow seamlessly to the assembly stations as production scales.
The transition from development to serial production is running parallel to the aircraft’s certification campaign. In September 2026, Deutsche Aircraft completed both low-speed and high-speed taxi testing for the D328eco landing gear certification program. Engineering, flight testing, and certification activities remain centralized at the company’s headquarters in Oberpfaffenhofen, while Leipzig handles final assembly and customer deliveries. The opening of the Leipzig Final Assembly Line and its supporting logistics infrastructure marks the return of full-scale passenger aircraft assembly to the German state of Saxony after a gap of more than 60 years. Deutsche Aircraft, building on the engineering heritage of Dornier, is positioning the D328eco to capture demand in a specific market segment that has seen limited new clean-sheet or heavily updated designs in recent years.
The D328eco is a 40-seat regional turboprop based on the legacy Dornier 328 platform. The updated aircraft features modern avionics and is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127XT-S engines. A key selling point for the program is its environmental operational capability, as the aircraft is designed to operate on 100 percent Power-to-Liquid Sustainable Aviation Fuel (PtL SAF).
The production facility itself mirrors the environmental focus of the aircraft. The Leipzig complex was constructed using wood-concrete hybrid materials and incorporates heat pump technology alongside extensive photovoltaic systems. These design choices align with the company’s stated goal of achieving a carbon-neutral production environment.
With the logistics center now officially handed over, Deutsche Aircraft will focus on integrating the automated systems into its daily assembly operations as it prepares for the D328eco’s eventual entry into service.
Integrating automated logistics for aircraft assembly
Transitioning the D328eco to serial production
Reviving regional turboprop manufacturing in Saxony
Photo Credit: Deutsche Aircraft
MRO & Manufacturing
First Class Air Acquires Oklahoma MRO Vertical Aerospace
First Class Air acquires Bristow, Oklahoma MRO Vertical Aerospace, adding a 226,000-sq-ft structural repair facility.
First Class Air has acquired and partnered with Oklahoma-based maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider Vertical Aerospace, adding a 226,000-square-foot facility and specialized structural repair capabilities to its growing aviation aftermarket platform.
The transaction, announced in an October 5, 2026, press release, significantly expands the Louisville, Kentucky-headquartered company’s in-house engineering and fabricated part manufacturing capacity. The deal marks a continuation of First Class Air’s strategic expansion following its rebranding earlier in the year, which unified multiple aviation aftermarket companies under a single corporate umbrella to provide comprehensive lifecycle support for aircraft operators.
The integration of Vertical Aerospace brings specialized in-house repair processes to First Class Air. The Bristow, Oklahoma, facility is equipped with an autoclave and a clean room, alongside dedicated capabilities for phosphoric acid anodizing and cleaning. The site also features non-destructive testing (NDT), heat treating, welding, laser tracking, and advanced engineering and design systems.
Vertical Aerospace specializes in the repair and overhaul of nacelles, thrust reversers, and flight control surfaces. The company also handles complex composite and metallic structural repairs for cowlings, ducts, and exhaust components. These services support a wide range of commercial, cargo, and military aircraft platforms.
First Class Air Chief Executive Officer Isac Roths stated that the acquisition provides a highly experienced team and differentiated capabilities that complement the organization’s existing services across the global aircraft lifecycle.
“Our focus has always been on finding better ways to solve problems for our customers and keep their aircraft operating. By bringing Vertical Aerospace’s structural repair, engineering and fabricated part manufacturing expertise together with our existing distribution, MRO, DER, PMA, teardown and [exchange programs]…” Roths said in the press release. Following the investment, Vertical Aerospace will maintain its operations at the Bristow facility. Founder and General Manager Tray Siegfried will continue to lead the Oklahoma-based team, ensuring continuity for existing customers and regulatory authorities.
The partnership with Vertical Aerospace represents the latest step in First Class Air’s strategy to build a comprehensive, nose-to-tail aftermarket platform. On April 19, 2026, the company rebranded from FCAH Aerospace to First Class Air. This move was designed to unify its specialized operating companies under a single integrated brand, streamlining its market presence and service offerings.
Prior to the October 5 announcement, the First Class Air portfolio consisted of five distinct entities: Cargo Repair, First Class Air Support, Cobalt Aero Services, Innodyne Systems, and Survival Products. Together, these divisions provide parts distribution, Designated Engineering Representative (DER) repairs, Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) manufacturing, aircraft teardowns, and component exchange programs.
Vertical Aerospace, which is distinct from the United Kingdom-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer of the same name, was founded by Siegfried in December 2012. Over the past 14 years, the company has built a specialized niche in heavy structural repairs. The MRO provider holds repair station certifications from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), as well as an AS9100 Rev. D quality system certification, which is a critical standard for aerospace manufacturing and supply chain operations. We view this acquisition as a direct response to ongoing supply chain constraints and maintenance bottlenecks affecting commercial and cargo operators. The aviation aftermarket and MRO sector has seen ongoing consolidation as platforms like First Class Air seek to offer comprehensive services to reduce maintenance downtime. By bringing specialized structural repair and fabricated part manufacturing in-house, First Class Air reduces its reliance on third-party vendors for complex composite and metallic work. The addition of a 226,000-square-foot facility with heavy industrial capabilities, such as autoclaves and phosphoric acid anodizing, allows the platform to capture higher-margin structural repair work that operators are increasingly looking to outsource to single-source aftermarket providers.
Expanding structural repair capabilities
Building an integrated aftermarket platform
AirPro News analysis
Photo Credit: First Class Air
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