Aircraft engine manufacturer CFM International has received certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its LEAP-1B high-pressure turbine (HPT) durability kit, marking a milestone in efforts to improve engine performance and reliability.
The upgrade is designed to double the engine’s time on wing in demanding operating environments, particularly in regions with extreme heat and challenging conditions such as the Middle East and India.
Following regulatory approval, CFM has begun industrializing production of the new hardware, with a full transition to large-scale manufacturing expected in early 2027 as the company rolls out the upgrade across the LEAP-1B fleet.
New cooling system promises fewer maintenance checks
The French-US firm has also obtained initial engine-level certification for its LEAP-1B reverse bleed system (RBS), a new cooling technology designed to improve engine durability and reduce maintenance requirements.
The system minimizes the need for on-wing fuel nozzle replacements, helping bring maintenance intervals for the LEAP-1B in line with the long-established reliability standards of the CFM56 engine family. The certification marks another step in CFM’s broader effort to enhance the maturity and operational efficiency of its latest-generation engines.
According to Gael Meheust, president and CEO of CFM International, the newly developed systems are expected to extend the time between engine shop visits while reducing maintenance demands, particularly for operators flying in harsh environments. He said the upgrades will allow customers to benefit from longer time on wing while maintaining the efficiency, reliability, and high utilization rates that have become key features of the LEAP engine family.
The company added that 70% of LEAP-1A engines are now operating with the reverse bleed system (RBS), while 40% of the fleet has been equipped with the high-pressure turbine (HPT) durability kit.
LEAP engines reach 100 million flight hours
The achievements coincide with a major milestone for CFM International, as the company prepares to mark 10 years since the LEAP-1A engine entered commercial service on August 2. Since its introduction, CFM has delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines worldwide, with the fleet accumulating over 100 million engine flight hours.
The milestone also showcases the growing global presence of the LEAP engine family and the operational experience gained across airlines around the world. Meheust further noted that the rapid growth of the LEAP engine program reflects both strong market demand and the responsibility CFM has to support its customers as the fleet continues to expand.
“It took 17 years to deliver 10,000 CFM56 engines, but just 10 years to deliver 10,000 LEAP engines. These milestones remind us that with the success of the LEAP program comes an even greater responsibility to do everything we can to help our customers succeed,” he added.
The company further pointed out that it remains focused on advancing the LEAP engine family by improving efficiency, reliability, and utilization while continuing to enhance durability, availability, and overall cost of ownership for customers.