AFI KLM E&M signs engine support deal with Air Austral: Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and Air Austral recently signed an agreement to provide engine support for the airline’s fleet of three Boeing 777 aircraft. The terms of the contract include spare engine availability and repair. This enhanced agreement specifically focuses on supporting Air Austral’s Boeing 777 fleet, which plays a pivotal role in the airline’s long-haul operations—most notably on the flagship route between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Réunion Island (RUN). The 777 aircraft are central to Air Austral’s network and long-haul capacity, and their operational reliability is critical to the airline’s performance and customer satisfaction. As part of this agreement, AFI KLM E&M will ensure the availability of a spare GE90-115 engine. The agreement also includes access to bare engine accessories during the entire period of engine shop visits, allowing Air Austral to optimise its planning and reduce downtime during scheduled maintenance events. This integrated support solution reflects AFI KLM E&M’s commitment to efficient engine lifecycle management and its ability to adapt to airline-specific operational constraints. This renewed collaboration marks another milestone in the relationship between AFI KLM E&M and Air Austral. By aligning technical capabilities with strategic needs, both companies are demonstrating their commitment to operational resilience.
AFI KLM E&M expands LEAP engine support capabilities: AFI KLM E&M announced a major advancement in its engine capabilities with successful finalising the industrialisation of the CFM LEAP-1A engine at its recently upgraded test cell Facilities in Paris and Amsterdam. These state-of-the-art facilities are now fully operational to conduct comprehensive performance testing and diagnostics for the latest generation of LEAP engines, supporting the Airbus A320neo family. The finalising of the industrialisation of the CFM LEAP-1B is expected later this summer. The achievement marks a strategic milestone in AFI KLM E&M’s long-term investment in advanced MRO infrastructure and underscores its leadership in servicing new-generation engine platforms. The Advanced Test Cell Facilities are equipped with the latest testing technologies and engineered to accommodate high-bypass, high-thrust engines under real-world operating conditions. Designed in full alignment with CFM OEM standards, the facility enables AFI KLM E&M to provide precise engine diagnostics, performance validation, and post-maintenance certification under controlled conditions, immediately prior to final release to service. The key capabilities include full-thrust testing for LEAP-1A and later this summer LEAP-1B engines, simulating operational flight conditions. Real-time digital data acquisition systems, ensuring full traceability and OEM compliance. Also advanced noise and vibration analysis for comprehensive performance monitoring and integrated automation and safety systems, enabling efficient and reliable engine runs.
AFI KLM E&M and AerCap enter talks on LEAP JV: Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) and AerCap Holdings N.V. (“AerCap”) have announced today during Le Bourget, Paris Airshow 2025 that they have entered into exclusive negotiations to form a LEAP engine leasing joint venture to support AFI KLM E&M LEAP Premier MRO customers worldwide. Building on their existing cooperation around lease engines, AFI KLM E&M and AerCap intend to jointly own and manage a fleet of CFMI LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines enabling uninterrupted Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX fleet operations, while engines are going for a quick-turn or performance restoration shop visit within the AFI KLM E&M MRO network. The formation of this joint venture, which is subject to any necessary approval, will strengthen the parties’ strategic collaboration to leverage their combined and complementary expertise in engine leasing, asset management and MRO services providing comprehensive MRO support to customers all over the world. Furthermore, the joint venture will benefit LEAP engine operators worldwide by offering the combined experience of a global airline-MRO that operates and maintains ‘new gen’ aircraft and engines with that of a world-class aircraft and engine lessor.
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