GE Aerospace Invests $1 Billion to Enhance MRO Facilities Worldwide

These investments will allow GE Aerospace to enhance its capability to meet the growing demand for both widebody and narrowbody aircraft. This includes the addition of extra engine test cells and equipment. The funding will also introduce advanced technology, such as improved inspection methods, to decrease turnaround times for customers. Additionally, it will enhance the component repair capabilities within its overhaul facilities.

In the media release, GE Aerospace President and CEO, Commercial Engines and Services, Russell Stokes, said that with the high demand for air travel, the company is making investments to enhance its capacity and efficiency to cater to the increasing needs of customers. “Through this significant investment, we are reaffirming our enduring commitment to safety, quality, and timely delivery for our customers and the general public who travel by air,” Mr Russell Stokes adds.

The largest portion of investment will support the increasing demand for CFM LEAP engines as the fleet continues to grow and expand, with over 3,300 LEAP-powered aircraft in service and more than 10,000 engines in backlog currently. Many of these investments are driven by the efforts of employees working to enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost through GE Aerospace’s lean operating model, FLIGHT DECK.

A large part of the MRO funding includes building a new Services Technology Acceleration Center (STAC) near Cincinnati, Ohio, opening in September 2024. STAC aims to speed up the implementation of new service approaches, such as inspection technologies to detect emerging problems earlier and minimize aircraft downtime for customers.

The GE Aerospace regional repair and overhaul facilities worldwide are set to receive $250 million in 2024 from a planned five-year investment of $1 billion. This funding will support facilities expansion, new machinery, tooling, and safety upgrades in various regions:

Image: An Overview of GE Aerospace’s Repair and Overhaul Facilities Expansion Investments

GE Aerospace’s MRO facilities keep over 40,000 commercial aircraft engines flying. Their customer services encompass engine disassembly, reassembly, maintenance, repair, inspection, and testing.