SSAMC Becomes First CFM LEAP Premier MRO Provider in China

This article is based on an official press release from CFM International.

On May 26, 2026, CFM International and Air China announced a major milestone for China’s domestic aviation infrastructure. Their joint venture, Sichuan Services Aero-engine Maintenance Company (SSAMC), has been officially designated as the first CFM LEAP Premier Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) provider in China. The announcement was made during the MRO Greater China event, marking a significant expansion of engine maintenance capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to the official press release from CFM International, SSAMC is now fully licensed to service the entire CFM LEAP engine family. This includes the LEAP-1A, which powers the Airbus A320neo family; the LEAP-1B, used on the Boeing 737 MAX family; and crucially, the LEAP-1C, the exclusive Western powerplant for the COMAC C919 passenger jet.

Notably, this agreement makes SSAMC the first facility in the world authorized to provide Premier MRO services specifically for the LEAP-1C engine. For an industry currently grappling with supply chain constraints and a surge in maintenance demand, the certification of the Chengdu-based facility represents a critical pressure relief valve for both domestic Chinese operations and the broader global aviation market.

Expanding Domestic Capabilities for the COMAC C919

Fleet Growth and Supply Chain Independence

The timing of SSAMC’s certification aligns closely with the rapid operational scaling of China’s homegrown narrowbody aircraft, the COMAC C919. As the aircraft transitions from trial operations into scaled commercial service, the need for localized, world-class maintenance has become paramount. According to reporting by China Daily, the C919 fleet had successfully completed over 42,000 commercial passenger flights as of April 30, 2026.

China’s major state-owned carriers are aggressively expanding their C919 networks to meet domestic travel demand. Industry estimates reported by Aviation Week project that Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern will receive a combined 33 C919 deliveries in 2026 alone. Air China, which recently placed an order for 100 extended-range variants of the C919, expects 10 of those deliveries this year.

In a statement included in the CFM International press release, Air China leadership emphasized the strategic importance of this localized MRO capability:

“As a shareholder and major customer of SSAMC, Air China highly values this milestone. SSAMC’s admission into the CFM LEAP Premier MRO ecosystem elevates our long-standing partnership with CFM to a new level and strengthens support for our fleet, especially the growing C919 fleet. With strong shareholder backing, SSAMC is positioning itself for even greater success ahead.”

Addressing the Global LEAP Maintenance Wave

The Open MRO Ecosystem

Beyond the domestic implications for the C919, SSAMC’s new status addresses a pressing macroeconomic trend in global aviation: the impending wave of engine overhauls. The CFM LEAP family, which succeeded the ubiquitous CFM56, is currently the dominant engine in the global narrowbody market. According to industry assessments from LARA, nearly 8,000 LEAP units have been delivered worldwide.

Engines delivered in the late 2010s are now reaching the threshold for their first Performance Restoration Shop Visits (PRSVs). CFM International has publicly noted that LEAP shop visits are forecast to increase significantly by the end of the decade due to high utilization rates by airlines globally. By integrating SSAMC into its “open MRO ecosystem,” CFM aims to foster competition among Premier MRO providers and third-party shops, ultimately helping airlines optimize maintenance costs and secure faster turnaround times.

SSAMC leadership expressed readiness to tackle this influx of maintenance work, citing their extensive operational history:

“We’re honored to become the first Premier MRO shop in the world for all CFM LEAP engine types, including LEAP-1C. This builds on the experience we’ve gained with LEAP engines since its entry into service in China and with CFM56 engines over our 27 years of operation.”

A Decades-Long Partnership

Air China and CFM’s Unique History

The foundation for this new Premier MRO status was laid decades ago. Established in Chengdu in 1999, SSAMC is a 60/40 joint venture between Air China and CFM International (which is itself a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines). Over its 27-year history, the 40,000-square-meter facility has serviced over 2,800 CFM engines, transitioning from legacy CFM56 models to the latest generation of LEAP engines.

This deep integration between an airline and an engine manufacturer is highly unusual in the commercial aviation sector. According to the CFM press release, Air China holds a distinct position in the industry regarding its engine operations.

“Air China is the only airline in the world to have operated six generations of CFM engines and established an engine maintenance shop with us. This agreement builds on that rich history together.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the certification of SSAMC as a dual-purpose strategic maneuver. For China, it is the missing puzzle piece for the COMAC C919’s long-term viability. The C919 program has historically faced production bottlenecks due to slow deliveries of imported components. By establishing a Premier MRO shop within its borders, China ensures that its homegrown jets can be maintained and overhauled domestically, effectively insulating its fleet from international shipping delays or potential geopolitical export hurdles.

For CFM International and the broader global market, expanding the Premier MRO network into Asia is a necessary step to handle the impending capacity crunch. As early-generation LEAP engines require heavy maintenance, global shop capacity will be stretched thin. Adding a proven, high-volume facility like SSAMC to the top-tier network helps alleviate these bottlenecks, ensuring that Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX operators in the region can maintain high fleet availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Premier MRO Provider?
In CFM International’s ecosystem, a Premier MRO provider is a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility that is officially licensed and certified by the manufacturer to perform comprehensive service, repairs, and overhauls on specific engine models to the highest factory standards.

Why is the LEAP-1C engine significant?
The LEAP-1C is the exclusive Western engine option for the COMAC C919, China’s domestically produced narrowbody commercial passenger jet. Maintaining these engines locally is critical for the operational efficiency of Chinese airlines.

Who owns SSAMC?
Sichuan Services Aero-engine Maintenance Company (SSAMC) is a joint venture owned 60% by Air China and 40% by CFM International.

Sources: CFM International