AIP Capital and Bridgepoint Group have agreed to purchase 11 CFM International LEAP-1B spare engines to support global Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft operations, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2029.

Announced on July 21, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow, the transaction expands the investment firms’ existing aviation asset portfolio. According to a press release issued by GE Aerospace, the acquisition is designed to provide airlines, operators, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers with critical spare engine capacity.

Expanding the spare engine portfolio

The July 2026 agreement builds on a previous transaction executed in 2024, during which AIP Capital and Bridgepoint Group acquired an initial batch of 10 CFM LEAP-1B spare engines. AIP Capital and its affiliates currently manage approximately $6.6 billion in total assets.

“This order reflects another milestone in both our partnership and strategy with CFM. We are excited to continue expanding upon our successful relationship with CFM and recognize the reliability, fuel efficiency, and performance of the LEAP engine family,” said Mathew Adamo, Managing Partner at AIP Capital.

LEAP-1B fleet upgrades and operational support

CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, has delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines across all variants to date. The manufacturer is currently implementing hardware upgrades across the global LEAP fleet to improve operational longevity.

These upgrades include a high-pressure turbine (HPT) durability kit designed to extend the engine’s time on wing. CFM International is also deploying a reverse bleed system (RBS) intended to reduce the overall maintenance burden for airline operators.

“We are proud to deepen our relationship with AIP Capital and Bridgepoint,” said Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International. “This agreement bolsters our shared mission to reduce aviation’s environmental impact while providing industry-leading reliability and exceptional service and support.”

AirPro News analysis

The acquisition of additional LEAP-1B spare engines by major aviation investment firms highlights the ongoing industry demand for operational redundancy. As airlines navigate supply chain constraints and scheduled maintenance intervals for new-generation narrowbody engines, access to a robust pool of spare powerplants is essential for maintaining schedule reliability. We view this investment as a direct response to the high utilization rates of the Boeing 737 MAX fleet and the corresponding need for MRO support capacity.

Sources: GE Aerospace

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