LEAP-1A Fleet in China Logs One Million Flight Hours

October 9, 2020

LEAP-1A showcases excellent reliability and utilization
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of LEAP-1A engines in China continues to grow steadily

SHANGHAI, China – CFM International’s LEAP-1A fleet in service in China recently surpassed the one million engine flight hour milestone.

The first LEAP-1A powered Airbus A320neo entered into service with Zhejiang Loong Air in June 2018. Since then, the fleet in country has grown to 150 LEAP-1A powered A320neo delivered to nine airlines in Greater China. Despite the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 20 aircraft have been delivered to customers in Greater China this year.

"We are proud to offer the reliability and the performance of the LEAP-1A engine to our Chinese customers, which has allowed them to have outstanding utilization and to achieve this milestone in just over two years. We will continue to provide our customers with reliable products and professional service to create even greater value for the development of China’s aviation industry in the post-pandemic era."

Weiming Xiang, president of CFM International Greater China

In addition to the high-level of asset utilization, LEAP-1A engines are also providing outstanding fuel efficiency, low noise, and low emissions. According to the latest statistics, LEAP-1A flight hours accumulated daily have now surpassed those of the CFM56 fleet operating in China. Notably, with the joint efforts of airline engineers and the CFM Customer and Product Support teams, the LEAP-1A engine operating in China has logged one million flight hours with zero in flight shutdown.

To support the rapid growth and smooth operation of LEAP engines in China, CFM has focused on building its fleet support infrastructure with in-country Field Service Engineers and the CFM Global Fleet Support Center in Shanghai, China, providing customers with 24/7 support. In July, CFM International was voted the highest-rated OEM customer service company in the third annual Air Transport Aftermarket Customer Satisfaction Survey.

As the perfect successor to the CFM56 engine, the LEAP engine combines the consistent high reliability CFM is known for with the most advanced technologies of GE and Safran Engines. The LEAP engine provides more than 15 percent better fuel efficiency compared to the previous generation, along with a 15 percent reduction in carbon emissions. At the same time, the engine helps to significantly reduce the aircraft noise footprint.

Overall, the LEAP fleet has accumulated more than 8.5 million engine flight hours and 4.0 million engine flight cycles in service with more than 115 operators around the globe.