SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – August 5, 2024 – StandardAero has signed a non-exclusive agreement with Avianca, the leading passenger airline in Colombia, Ecuador and Central America, to provide support for an undefined quantity of the CFM International LEAP-1A turbofan engines powering the carrier’s fleet of Airbus A320neo passenger aircraft, according to its operational demands. Avianca joins the growing list of operators to rely on StandardAero’s new LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) line established at its San Antonio facility in Texas.
Under the general terms agreement signed between the two companies, Avianca will be able to benefit from the broad range of LEAP-1A capabilities offered by StandardAero, which last March became the first North American non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) holder for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B. These services – which include MRO support, workscoping/forecasting, engine testing, program management, component repair development, lease engine support and module swaps – are offered in a seamless fashion under StandardAero’s Total Engine Asset Management (TEAM™) portfolio.
Commenting on the announcement, Will Pitcher, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customers for StandardAero’s Airlines & Fleets division, said: “StandardAero is delighted to add Avianca to the growing list of leading LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B operators who have chosen StandardAero as their engine support partner. We truly appreciate the confidence shown by Avianca in our San Antonio-based LEAP team, and look forward to meeting the service expectations of Avianca and its customers for many years to come.”
StandardAero recently announced LEAP-1B correlation approval for the first test cell in its San Antonio test complex, and will shortly be adding correlation approval for the LEAP-1A. These approvals will pave the way for the introduction of LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B performance restoration shop visit (PRSV) capability, which is expected to be attained by the end of the year.
In addition to establishing overhaul capability for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B at its San Antonio facility, StandardAero will also offer an extensive portfolio of repairs for the LEAP family through its Component Repair Services (CRS) division’s network of locations, and its Repair Development Center of Excellence. To date, StandardAero’s CRS team has industrialized more than 230 component repairs for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B.
StandardAero also continues to grow its team of LEAP technicians through its in-house Aviation Mechanic Training Program, located at its San Antonio site’s Training Academy.
CFM International, the 50/50 joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines founded in 1974, has redefined international cooperation and helped change the course of commercial aviation. Today, CFM is the world’s leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines with a product line that sets the industry standard for efficiency, reliability, durability, and optimized cost of ownership for narrowbody aircraft. The company produces the LEAP and CFM56 families of engines, and supports LEAP and CFM56 fleets for more than 600 operators worldwide.
Avianca is a company that comprises Avianca – a Star Alliance member – LifeMiles and Avianca Cargo. In passenger transportation, Avianca is the leading airline in Colombia, Ecuador, and Central America, with over 104 years of operation since 1919. It has one of the largest air operations in Latin America with 147 routes, nearly 710 daily flights, and a fleet of 140 Airbus 320 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, connecting over 75 destinations in 25 countries in the Americas and Europe. In 2023, Avianca ranked first in the “Global Airlines” category in the punctuality index of the specialized consulting firm Cirium and transported more than 32.2 million customers with the operation of over 213,000 flights. Its loyalty program, LifeMiles, is one of the largest in Latin America with over 14 million members and 600 partner brands. In cargo transportation, Avianca Cargo is a regional leader and the main operator in various markets in the Americas. More information can be found at www.avianca.com
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StandardAero is a leading independent provider of services including engine and airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, engineering services, interior completions and paint applications. StandardAero serves a diverse array of customers in business and general aviation, airline, military, helicopter, components and energy markets. StandardAero is owned by global investment firm Carlyle.