SalamAir Selects StandardAero for LEAP-1A Engine MRO Support
StandardAero, one of the world’s largest independent providers of aerospace engine maintenance services, has been selected by SalamAir, Oman’s rapidly expanding low-cost airline, to deliver Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) support for its fleet of Airbus A320neo family aircraft powered by CFM International’s advanced LEAP-1A engines. The agreement marks a critical milestone in SalamAir’s ongoing efforts to ensure operational efficiency, maintain high safety standards, and manage long-term fleet costs as it scales up to meet growing demand.
With its roots firmly in Oman, SalamAir is quickly establishing itself as a key player in the Middle East’s low-cost aviation market. Since its inception, the carrier has prioritized cost-effective operations while delivering a dependable and comfortable flying experience to passengers across the region. Its partnership with StandardAero underscores SalamAir’s continued investment in top-tier technical support and global aviation expertise.
Strategic Partnership to Support Growth and Operational Reliability
The newly announced partnership entrusts StandardAero with full MRO responsibilities for the LEAP-1A engines that power SalamAir’s growing fleet. These next-generation engines are known for their high fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower noise levels, making them well-suited to SalamAir’s modern fleet and sustainability ambitions.
Commenting on the decision, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, Chief Executive Officer of SalamAir, stated:
“At SalamAir, safety, operational reliability and cost-efficiency remain at the core of our strategy as we continue to expand and modernize our fleet. Partnering with StandardAero for LEAP-1A engine MRO support marks a significant step in ensuring the long-term performance and availability of our aircraft. We are confident in StandardAero’s proven capabilities and technical expertise, and we look forward to a strong partnership that supports our growth and commitment to delivering dependable and affordable travel for our passengers across the region.”
SalamAir’s choice of StandardAero is a clear endorsement of the latter’s deep MRO capabilities, industry-leading turnaround times, and rigorous quality standards. The collaboration also serves as a model for how rapidly expanding carriers can benefit from partnering with experienced, independent MRO providers to support their evolving technical needs without sacrificing reliability or incurring prohibitive costs.
StandardAero’s Growing Role in Global LEAP Engine Support
StandardAero supports the CFM LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines from its state-of-the-art 810,000-square-foot facility in San Antonio, Texas. As one of the very few non-airline MRO providers globally to sign a CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA), StandardAero holds the prestigious designation of being a CFM LEAP Premier MRO provider. The company made headlines in March 2023 when it became the first non-airline MRO provider in the Americas to sign a CBSA agreement covering both the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine families.
This designation not only validates StandardAero’s technical competency and operational maturity but also ensures its MRO services align with the rigorous standards set by CFM International—a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.
Olivier Ruffet, Vice President Sales EMEA & Lessors for StandardAero’s Airlines & Fleet business unit, emphasized the strategic significance of the collaboration:
“StandardAero is delighted to add SalamAir to the ever-growing list of operators around the world who have selected us to support their LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine support requirements. SalamAir joins LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B operators and asset managers from across North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific region who now rely on StandardAero for engine MRO. Our two companies share a common set of values, and we look forward to providing SalamAir with exceptional support based on our corporate commitment to continuous improvement, thus becoming the airline’s most trusted MRO partner.”
Enhancing MRO Capabilities Through Innovation and Workforce Development
Beyond servicing LEAP engines at its San Antonio base, StandardAero is also investing heavily in developing innovative engine component repair capabilities. Through its Component Repair Services (CRS) network and its specialized Repair Development Center of Excellence, StandardAero has industrialized more than 300 proprietary component repair processes for the LEAP engine family. These repairs not only extend engine life but also reduce costs and turnaround times for operators.
Moreover, StandardAero is proactively addressing the aviation industry’s talent pipeline challenges by training a new generation of LEAP engine technicians. The company operates an in-house Aviation Mechanic Training Program at its San Antonio Training Academy, preparing technicians with specialized knowledge and hands-on experience needed to support advanced propulsion systems like the LEAP-1A and -1B. This focus on continuous workforce development ensures consistent service delivery, even as demand for LEAP engine MRO grows globally.
Supporting SalamAir’s Ambitious Expansion Strategy
SalamAir currently operates a fleet of 13 Airbus A320 and A321 family aircraft, with an average of over 80 flights daily to destinations across the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and Central Asia. The airline has grown rapidly by targeting underserved routes and offering competitively priced fares to both leisure and business travelers.
In February 2025, the airline unveiled an ambitious fleet expansion plan, placing an order for 10 new aircraft with the goal of operating 25 planes by 2028. Two new aircraft are expected to join the fleet in July 2025. This expansion is driven by rising passenger demand, increased intra-regional connectivity, and government efforts to boost Oman’s tourism and economic development.
As SalamAir adds more aircraft to its fleet, ensuring consistent and high-quality engine performance will be paramount. StandardAero’s technical acumen and expansive LEAP engine support infrastructure will provide the airline with a solid foundation to scale its operations while minimizing risk and maximizing fleet availability.
A Shared Commitment to Excellence
The collaboration between SalamAir and StandardAero brings together two organizations committed to operational excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction. Both companies share a vision of enabling safer, more efficient, and more sustainable aviation in the Middle East and beyond.
As the aviation sector increasingly shifts toward newer, more fuel-efficient engines like the LEAP-1A, demand for sophisticated MRO support will continue to rise. Through its partnership with StandardAero, SalamAir positions itself at the forefront of this evolution—backed by world-class technical support that enhances both performance and profitability.
About CFM International and the LEAP Engine Program
CFM International was established in 1974 as a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace (U.S.) and Safran Aircraft Engines (France). The company’s collaborative model revolutionized international cooperation in the aerospace sector and laid the groundwork for a series of game-changing engine programs. Today, CFM is the world’s largest supplier of commercial aircraft engines, supporting over 600 operators globally.
The LEAP engine family, which includes the LEAP-1A (used on Airbus A320neo aircraft), LEAP-1B (for Boeing 737 MAX), and LEAP-1C (for COMAC C919), represents the latest in high-bypass turbofan technology. The LEAP engines are designed for fuel efficiency, extended time on wing, and lower environmental impact, with a 15% reduction in fuel burn and CO₂ emissions compared to previous-generation engines.
As more airlines adopt the LEAP engine family for their narrowbody fleets, the role of trusted MRO partners like StandardAero becomes even more vital to ensuring long-term engine performance and airline profitability.