MRO & Manufacturing
GE Aerospace Hits 1,000 Engine Tests at Três Rios Brazil Facility
GE Aerospace’s Três Rios facility in Brazil reaches 1,000 engine tests and expands to become the largest LEAP MRO hub by 2026.
This article is based on an official press release from GE Aerospace and additional background data regarding GE Celma’s operations.
GE Aerospace has officially marked a significant operational achievement in Brazil, announcing on December 8, 2025, that its Três Rios test cell has completed the testing of its 1,000th engine. According to the company’s press release, this milestone highlights the rapid acceleration of the facility’s capabilities since its inauguration in 2018 and underscores Brazil’s growing importance in the global Aviation supply chain.
The Três Rios facility, located approximately 40 miles north of GE Celma’s main headquarters in Petrópolis, serves as a critical node in the company’s Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network. As the largest and most modern engine test cell in Latin America, the site is responsible for certifying the performance of some of the world’s most advanced Commercial-Aircraft engines before they are returned to service.
In a statement regarding the achievement, Julio Talon, GE Aerospace’s Brazil MRO Leader, emphasized the facility’s role in maintaining global fleet reliability:
“Reaching the thousandth engine test since 2018 demonstrates not only the reliability of our facilities, but also the trust that our global customers place in Brazilian engineering. We are extremely proud of how Três Rios has become an essential pillar in GE Aerospace’s maintenance, repair and overhaul global network.”
The Três Rios unit is distinguished by its capacity to handle high-thrust engines and its integration of sustainable technologies. According to technical specifications released by GE Aerospace, the test cell is capable of handling up to 150,000 pounds of thrust. This capacity allows engineers to test the GEnx engine, which powers the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, as well as the CFM LEAP family (LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B), which powers the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, respectively.
Beyond raw power, the facility utilizes advanced digital tools for real-time fault diagnosis. The site also features “Bar Silencers,” a proprietary noise reduction system designed to minimize environmental impact. In line with the company’s sustainability goals, the facility operates with 100% LED lighting, thermal insulation for energy efficiency, and an on-site sewage treatment plant.
While the 1,000th engine test marks a retrospective milestone, GE Aerospace is simultaneously executing a massive expansion at the same site. As detailed in recent company reports and industry data, a new engine overhaul shop is currently under construction adjacent to the test cell. This project represents an investment of approximately R$ 430 million (approx. USD 85 million).
Construction on this new facility began in early 2024, with completion expected by late 2025. Once fully operational in 2026, coinciding with GE Celma’s 75th anniversary, the new shop will focus specifically on the CFM LEAP engine. This expansion is projected to nearly double the site’s capacity, increasing output from approximately 600 to 1,000 engines serviced annually. Upon completion, the Três Rios complex is expected to become the largest CFM LEAP engine overhaul facility in the world. The achievement of 1,000 engines tested is more than a numerical victory; it validates GE Aerospace’s strategy of decentralizing critical MRO work to high-efficiency regions. Brazil’s GE Celma unit already handles approximately 20-25% of the company’s total global engine maintenance volume. By concentrating LEAP engine capabilities in Três Rios, GE is fortifying its support network for the single-aisle market, which remains the workhorse of global commercial aviation. We believe this expansion is a direct response to the immense backlog and operational demand for the A320neo and 737 MAX fleets, ensuring that airline customers face fewer bottlenecks during engine shop visits.
Where is the Três Rios facility located? What engines are tested at this site? What is the significance of the new expansion?
GE Aerospace Reaches 1,000-Engine Milestone at Três Rios Facility
Advanced Capabilities and Green-Technology
Expansion: The New LEAP MRO Hub
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
The facility is located in Três Rios, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It operates as a satellite unit to the main GE Celma headquarters in Petrópolis.
The test cell specializes in the GEnx (Boeing 787) and the CFM LEAP family (Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX).
The new R$ 430 million expansion will add a dedicated overhaul shop for LEAP engines, expected to make Três Rios the largest LEAP MRO facility globally by 2026.
Sources
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace