CHENGDU, China — 23 March 2018 — Sichuan Services Aero Engine Maintenance Company (SSAMC), the joint venture between Air China and CFM International (CFM), has inaugurated a new 43,880 -square meter facility, expanding its maintenance, repair, and overhaul capability for CFM56 and LEAP engines to 300 engines per year.
“The expanded capacity of the new facility will further enhance SSAMC’s capability to provide world-class MRO services to customers from China and around the world,” said Chai Weixi, senior vice president of Air China and chairman of the board of SSAMC.
The brand-new facility, located in the Chengdu Free Trade Zone, benefits from the latest standards in terms of equipment and lay out, is the largest CFM engine maintenance facility in Asia.
“I am honored to be part of this celebration,” said Olivier Andriès, CEO of CFM parent company Safran Aircraft Engines. “SSAMC has grown to be a highly valuable asset for our partner, Air China, and for Safran Aircraft Engines, as we support our CFM customers in Asia and around the world. The quality of the work and turnaround times this facility has achieved prepares it well for future LEAP MRO capability as this engine continues the fastest fleet ramp-up in aviation history,”
SSAMC was officially established as a 60/40 joint venture between Air China and CFM in 2010. Since then, the company has serviced more than 1,000 CFM56-3, CFM56-5B, and CFM56-7 engines for more than 40 customers throughout China and Asia. SSAMC successfully combines Air China’s extensive expertise with that of CFM to create a truly world-class maintenance facility that has been certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
About Air China
Air China is the Chinese national flag carrier and has been a long-time CFM customer. The airline continues to grow and expand its reach and it one of the leading airlines in the country. The airline currently operates a fleet of nearly 250 CFM-powered aircraft, including the Airbus A320, Boeing Next Generation 737, and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
About CFM International
CFM56 and LEAP engines are products of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. CFM is the world’s leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines, with nearly 33,000 CFM56 and LEAP engines delivered to date. For more information, visit us at www.cfmaeroengines.com or follow us on Twitter @CFM_engines.
From left: Alan Jones, general manager, Material Solutions, GE Aviation; Chai Weixi, senior vice president, Air China & chairman of the Board, SSAMC; Madam Yu Bin, deputy director of Sichuan Provincial Department Of Commerce: Olivier Andriès, CEO, Safran Aircraft engine; and Francois Planaud, vice president, Material Services, Safran Aircraft Engines.
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