Safran Aircraft Engines Announces New LEAP Engine MRO Facility in Morocco, Enhancing Local Workforce and Capacity

Safran Aircraft Engines Announces New LEAP Engine MRO Facility in Morocco, Enhancing Local Workforce and Capacity

(IN BRIEF) At the Marrakech Air Show 2024, Safran Aircraft Engines announced several agreements with Moroccan partners to establish a new LEAP engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility near Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport, set to begin operations in 2026. A key agreement includes a Memorandum of Understanding with the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association (GIMAS) for training 60 to 100 engine mechanics and technicians starting in early 2025. Additionally, Safran secured a 6-hectare plot of land through MedZ and a service contract with Midparc for the new facility. The MRO center will employ over 600 people and have the capacity to service 150 engines annually, addressing the growing demand from airlines in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. This initiative reinforces Safran’s long-standing presence in Morocco, where it employs nearly 4,700 people and has established strong local partnerships.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 31-Oct-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — During the Marrakech Air Show 2024, Safran Aircraft Engines announced significant collaborations with Moroccan partners in preparation for the establishment of its new LEAP engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility. This new center is set to commence operations in 2026, as revealed on October 28 during French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to Rabat. The facility will be strategically located near Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport.

The first of the agreements is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association (GIMAS), aimed at training engine mechanics and technicians. This initiative will cater to the needs of both Safran’s existing MRO subsidiary, SAESM, and the forthcoming LEAP MRO facility. The MoU outlines the training of 60 to 100 individuals annually, starting in early 2025. Trainees will have access to established infrastructure and new facilities from Morocco’s top training providers, ensuring they acquire the necessary skills for LEAP MRO operations.

In addition, two more agreements were announced regarding the new MRO site at the Midparc aerospace hub, a free trade zone adjacent to the Casablanca airport. The first agreement involves the acquisition of a 6-hectare (approximately 15-acre) parcel of land through MedZ, a subsidiary of Morocco’s state-owned financial institution Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, which focuses on business park development. The second agreement entails a service contract with Midparc to facilitate the real estate project for the MRO shop.

Following the signing of these agreements, Safran Aircraft Engines CEO Jean-Paul Alary remarked, “We are well-positioned to commence construction of our new MRO facility at the beginning of 2025, with operations anticipated to begin a year later. I am excited about collaborating with these esteemed partners, who will help us uphold the highest standards of training, infrastructure, and low-carbon performance.”

Upon completion, the MRO facility is expected to employ over 600 individuals and will have the capacity to service 150 engines annually. This capability is crucial to meet the increasing demand for LEAP engine visits, particularly from airlines across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

This new investment will also bolster Safran’s industrial presence in Morocco, where the Group has been operational for 25 years. Currently, Safran employs nearly 4,700 people across eight companies and joint ventures and is a leader in Morocco’s aerospace sector, fostering strong partnerships with local firms and government institutions. Safran Aircraft Engine Services Morocco (SAESM), the first aerospace company established in Morocco in 1999, has evolved into a center of excellence for CFM56 engine maintenance. Earlier this year, Safran Aircraft Engines and Royal Air Maroc signed an MoU to support the facility’s expansion, increasing CFM56 engine shop visits from 70 to 100 annually by 2026.

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 92,000 employees and sales of 23.2 billion euros in 2023, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.

Safran Aircraft Engines designs, produces and sells, alone or in partnership, commercial and military aircraft engines offering world-class performance, reliability and environmental compliance. Through CFM International*, Safran Aircraft Engines is the world’s leading supplier of engines for single-aisle mainline commercial jets.
* CFM International is a 50-50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE.

Learn more: www.safran-group.com and www.safran-aircraft-engines.com  / Follow @Safran and @SafranEngines on X.

Media Contact:

Charles Soret
Safran Aircraft Engines
+33 6 31 60 96 79
charles.soret@safrangroup.com

SOURCE: Safran

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