GE Aerospace Invests US$1 Billion to Upgrade MRO Facilities

GE Aerospace has announced a major investment of $1 billion over the next five years to upgrade and expand its global network of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities. This investment will enhance the company’s 19 MRO and component repair centers to address the increasing demand for engine maintenance.

The initiative comes in response to a surge in global air travel, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reporting a 10.7% increase in travel through May 2024 compared to the previous year. IATA projects a record 4.9 billion passengers for the year.

The investment will cover upgrades to equipment, acquisition of new tools, infrastructure improvements, and advancements in repair technology. A significant portion of the funds will be allocated to expanding facilities for CFM LEAP engines, driven by heightened demand. These engines, manufactured by CFM International—a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines—are currently in use on over 3,300 commercial aircraft, with a backlog of 10,000 engines on order.

Farah Borges, Vice President of Assembly and Testing, MRO, GE Aerospace, highlighted the company’s commitment to high-quality service. “Our key role is to provide a differentiated experience for our customers and ensure that when an engine is removed from an aircraft, we perform high-quality maintenance and return it as quickly as possible,” Borges stated.

Facilities in Malaysia and Brazil will receive enhancements to increase their capacity, while the XEOS facility in Poland will focus exclusively on LEAP engines. GE Aerospace is also expanding its on-wing support (OWS) network, including the acquisition of a new testing facility and expansion efforts in Dallas-Fort Worth, as reported by A21.

For 2024, GE Aerospace plans to invest US$250 million, which includes the completion of the new Service Technology Acceleration Center (STAC) near Cincinnati, Ohio. The STAC will introduce innovative inspection technologies and serve as a training hub for new technologies and customer education.