CFM International has secured regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a high-pressure turbine durability kit designed for the LEAP-1B engine. The manufacturer also achieved initial engine-level certification for a new reverse bleed system, targeting significant reductions in maintenance burdens for Boeing 737 MAX operators.

Announced in a press release on July 18, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow, the hardware upgrades are engineered to double the engine’s time on wing in severe operating environments. CFM International expects a full production cutover for the durability hardware by early 2027.

Engineering enhancements for harsh environments

The LEAP-1B serves as the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX family. The newly certified high-pressure turbine (HPT) durability kit is specifically tailored to benefit operators flying in hot and harsh climates, such as India and the Middle East, where engine core components face accelerated wear from environmental particulates and high temperatures.

Concurrently, the reverse bleed system (RBS) introduces a specialized cooling mechanism designed to minimize the need for on-wing fuel nozzle replacements. According to CFM International, this system aligns the LEAP-1B’s on-wing maintenance requirements with the historical reliability standards of the legacy CFM56 engine.

These technologies are already seeing widespread adoption on the Airbus A320neo’s LEAP-1A variant. The manufacturer reports that 70 percent of the active LEAP-1A fleet currently operates with the RBS, while 40 percent flies with the HPT durability kit installed.

Production milestones and leasing demand

The certification announcement coincides with major production and operational milestones for the joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. The LEAP fleet has now accumulated 100 million engine flight hours in commercial service.

CFM International recently delivered its 10,000th LEAP engine. The program reached this Delivery milestone in 10 years, a pace significantly faster than the 17 years required for the predecessor CFM56 program to achieve the same volume.

“These systems will increase time between shop visits while also reducing maintenance burden, especially for customers in severe environments,” said Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International. “This means customers will benefit from longer time on wing in addition to the exceptional efficiency, reliability, and utilization that LEAP engines already deliver.”

Demand for the LEAP family remains robust among aircraft lessors. During the week of July 20, 2026, BOC Aviation finalized a firm Orders for up to 300 LEAP engines, split between the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B. Additionally, AIP Capital and Bridgepoint Group agreed to purchase 11 LEAP-1B spare engines, while BBAM Limited Partnership signed an agreement to acquire 30 LEAP spare engines across both variants.

AirPro News analysis

We view the certification of the LEAP-1B durability kit and reverse bleed system as a critical step in maturing the Boeing 737 MAX powerplant. Airlines globally are navigating constrained maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) networks alongside a shortage of spare engines. By doubling the time on wing in severe environments and reducing line maintenance interventions like fuel nozzle replacements, CFM International is directly addressing the primary operational pain points for airlines in high-growth markets. Achieving parity with the CFM56’s legendary time-on-wing metrics is essential for the long-term economic proposition of the LEAP program.

Sources: GE Aerospace (CFM secures certification)

Pratt & Whitney Canada will inject $275 million CAD into its Longueuil manufacturing facility to integrate automated production lines and advanced digital processes, securing 650 jobs in the Quebec aerospace sector.

Announced on July 21, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow, the modernization project is backed by up to $34 million CAD from the Government of Canada, alongside support from the Quebec government. The investment targets the engine manufacturer’s global headquarters and largest manufacturing site, representing approximately $195.5 million USD in capital upgrades.

Upgrading industrial capacity for turbine production

The capital injection will fund the installation of modernized machinery and automated production lines at the Longueuil plant. Pratt & Whitney Canada, an RTX business, produces turbine engines for regional aircraft, business jets, general aviation, and rotorcraft platforms. By implementing advanced digital manufacturing processes, the company aims to increase production efficiency and precision to meet rising global demand for its propulsion systems.

In a press release detailing the investment, Pratt & Whitney Canada President Satheeshkumar Kumarasingam stated the upgrades will strengthen industrial capacity and enable the manufacturer to better support its customers.

“It also reinforces our longstanding role as a pillar of the Québec aerospace ecosystem and a major contributor to Canadian aviation,” Kumarasingam said.

Federal and provincial government support

The modernization effort is a joint public-private initiative. Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is providing up to $34 million CAD through the federal Strategic Response Fund. The Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie du Québec is also supporting the project, though specific provincial funding figures were not disclosed in the initial announcement.

The Longueuil facility currently employs nearly 4,500 people. According to the federal government, the financial engagement will directly maintain 650 jobs at the site. The announcement was coordinated with Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, highlighting the strategic importance of the aerospace sector to the regional economy.

AirPro News analysis

We view this $275 million CAD investment as a necessary step for Pratt & Whitney Canada to protect its manufacturing base against ongoing global supply chain pressures. By shifting toward automated production lines and digital processes, the engine manufacturer is positioning its legacy Longueuil facility to handle higher production rates with greater consistency. Announcing the capital upgrade at the Farnborough International Airshow serves a dual purpose: reassuring global airframers of the company’s capacity to deliver on engine backlogs while demonstrating the Canadian government’s willingness to subsidize critical aerospace infrastructure.

Sources: Pratt & Whitney Canada

ExecuJet MRO Services Belgium has secured regulatory approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to perform line and heavy maintenance on the Dassault Falcon 6X.

Announced in a company press release on July 13, 2026, the dual certification allows the Brussels-based facility to service the growing global fleet of the 5,500-nautical-mile range business jet. The approval also expands the company’s Dassault MRO GoTeam capabilities to include aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support for the Falcon 6X.

Expanding global support for the Falcon 6X

In addition to EASA and FAA certification, the Brussels facility received maintenance approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bermuda, the Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba, and the Office of the Director of Civil Aviation in Guernsey. These combined authorizations enable ExecuJet Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Services to support a wide registry of international operators.

Matthijs Hutsebaut, Regional Vice President for Europe at ExecuJet MRO Services, highlighted the operational impact of the new certifications.

“EASA and FAA are the world’s two most internationally recognised civil aviation regulators. This approval is significant as it means we are now internationally certified to do line and heavy maintenance on all in-production Falcon aircraft types,” Hutsebaut stated.

According to the company, there are currently more than 30 Dassault Falcon 6X aircraft operating worldwide. Hutsebaut noted that demand for maintenance and support services is scaling alongside the active fleet. He added that the combination of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) expertise and AOG capabilities positions the facility to provide comprehensive support to operators.

Broader network growth and recent milestones

The Falcon 6X approval in Belgium follows a series of recent capability expansions across the ExecuJet MRO Services global network, which operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation.

On June 11, 2026, the Belgium facility completed an extensive heavy maintenance project on a Dassault Falcon 7X. That project included an engine change, avionics upgrades, and the installation of a Starlink satellite communications system.

The company is also expanding its heavy maintenance footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. On June 3, 2026, ExecuJet MRO Services Australasia announced the expansion of its Dassault Falcon 7X heavy maintenance capabilities at its Sydney facility, with C-checks scheduled to commence in October 2026.

AirPro News analysis

As new clean-sheet aircraft designs like the Dassault Falcon 6X enter service and build flight hours, the availability of certified maintenance infrastructure becomes a critical factor for operator dispatch reliability. By securing EASA and FAA approvals at a major European hub, Dassault Aviation is leveraging its wholly-owned ExecuJet MRO Services subsidiary to capture aftermarket revenue while ensuring its newest flagship operators have immediate access to heavy maintenance and AOG recovery. We expect to see similar capability rollouts across other ExecuJet MRO Services regional hubs as the Falcon 6X fleet matures and approaches its first major scheduled maintenance intervals.

Sources: ExecuJet MRO Services (July 13, 2026)