AIP Capital Buys 11 CFM LEAP-1B Engines for 737 MAX Fleet

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