Ryanair signs engine services deal with CFM International for fleet expansion

Ryanair, an Ireland-based airline, and CFM International have signed a memorandum of understanding for a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar engine services agreement, according to Aviation Week.

Under the agreement, CFM, a joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace, will support Ryanair's engine maintenance programme for existing and future CFM56-7B and Leap-1B engines.

The deal includes support for opening two MRO shops as the airline plans to take over maintenance of powerplants directly toward the end of the decade.

Ryanair has committed to purchasing all engine spare parts directly from CFM, expected to amount to more than $1 billion (€850 million) per annum over the term of the agreement as its fleet grows to 800 Boeing 737-family aircraft and more than 2,000 CFM engines long-term.

Michael O'Leary, Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair, stated the airline looks forward to working closely with Safran over the next 15 years as it builds two in-house engine maintenance shops to continue providing customers with very low fares and low fare growth.

Olivier Andriès, Chief Executive Officer of Safran, stated the 30-year partnership represents a new step forward for the next 15 years. Ryanair's current fleet of 620 aircraft counts around 1,400 engines.

O'Leary stated the airline is assessing five locations in the Baltic states, Italy, Northern Ireland, Portugal, and Spain for the two new MRO facilities. It hopes to announce the first around the end of June and start construction work later this year with the aim of having it operating before the end of 2028.

The second site will come online in 2029. Each will employ around 600 people and have capacity to work on 150 engines per year.

Read the full story on Ryanair's CFM International engine services agreement.