Safran Breaks Ground on LEAP Module Factory at Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport and Safran Aircraft Engines have broken ground on a 15,000-square-meter facility dedicated to CFM LEAP engine maintenance, expanding their existing footprint to meet surging global demand for aftermarket services.

Announced in a press release on June 17, 2026, the new “Module Factory” at the Safran Aircraft Engine Services Brussels site will specialize in the maintenance of individual engine modules rather than complete engine overhauls. This targeted approach is designed to accelerate repair turnaround times for the growing fleet of Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Scaling up LEAP engine maintenance

The global fleet of CFM LEAP engines is expanding rapidly as Airlines modernize their narrowbody fleets. The engines provide a 15 percent reduction in fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared to previous generations. With 150 airlines worldwide currently operating LEAP engines, the demand for specialized Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services has surged.

To manage this volume, Safran is consolidating its MRO activities into large-scale regional hubs. The new Brussels extension includes approximately 12,000 square meters of workshop space and 3,000 square meters of office space. By 2028, the facility is projected to handle up to 1,500 engine modules annually.

“The groundbreaking for this Module Factory marks an important new milestone in the development of our global maintenance network, supporting the rapid growth of the LEAP engine fleet,” said Nicolas Potier, SVP Support & Services at Safran Aircraft Engines. “This extension strengthens our deeply rooted presence within the Brussels Airport ecosystem and increases our MRO capacity in Europe, bringing us even closer to our customers’ operations and needs in the region.”

Economic footprint and environmental design

The expansion will have a notable impact on the local workforce. The project is expected to create around 250 additional jobs, bringing the total projected workforce at the site to more than 600 employees by 2027. The development also includes a 380-space multi-storey car park.

Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airports, stated that the project confirms the airport’s role as a major economic and industrial hub in Belgium, supporting high value-added activities and job creation.

In alignment with broader aviation industry Sustainability targets, the new facility is designed to achieve an E0 energy performance level. This designation indicates that the building’s energy consumption will be fully offset by on-site energy production.

AirPro News analysis

We note a significant upward revision in the project’s scope between the initial agreement signed in December 2024 and the June 2026 groundbreaking. The original 2024 announcement outlined an 11,000-square-meter facility capable of handling 1,200 shop visits annually, with 220 new jobs. The final design has expanded to 15,000 square meters, 1,500 annual modules, and 250 new jobs.

This 25 percent increase in planned capacity over just 18 months underscores the intense pressure on the global MRO supply chain. As the in-service fleet of LEAP-powered narrowbodies matures, OEMs are being forced to scale their aftermarket infrastructure more aggressively than initially forecast to prevent maintenance bottlenecks and keep airline fleets operational.

Sources: Brussels Airport