Gopinath says partnership is to develop advanced engine support capabilities for APAC region
MRO-leader StandardAero (NYSE: SARO) has signed a Supplier Service Agreement with GMR Aero Technic to provide enhanced on-wing support services to operators in India for narrowbody engine platforms including the CFM International CFM56-7B and LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B.
India is a major market for the new generation LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines, which power the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX families, respectively. Operators in country have approximately 1,000 powerplants in service and a further 3,200 on order. The CFM56-7B, which powers the Boeing 737NG family, also remains in widespread use in the country, with more than 100 engines still in service, said StandardAero from Scottsdale, Arizona.
StandardAero has a long history of supporting Indian operators, providing customers across the nation with reliable engine MRO services for the LEAP-1B narrowbody turbofan, AE 3007A regional turbofan and the PW127 regional turboprop, among others.
Commenting on the announcement for StandardAero, Rebecca Lane, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, said on 23 Sept, “StandardAero is pleased to build on our existing MRO capabilities for operators across India through this new agreement with GMR Aero Technic. India represents one of the fastest-growing commercial aviation markets, and StandardAero is committed to ensuring that operators across the country receive the support they need to meet the nation’s ambitious regional connectivity objectives. Coming less than a year after our agreement with GMF AeroAsia in Indonesia, this new partnership with GMR Aero Technic highlights StandardAero’s commitment to providing operators with local support on a global scale.”
Commenting on the announcement for GMR Aero Technic, Ashok Gopinath, President & Accountable Manager, elaborated, “Our partnership with StandardAero marks an important milestone in GMR Aero Technic’s journey towards developing advanced engine support capabilities for the APAC region. By combining StandardAero’s global expertise in engine aftermarket services with our infrastructure and regional presence, we aim to create a responsive on-wing support network that delivers greater value to airlines and operators. This collaboration further strengthens our vision of positioning India as a leading hub for aircraft MRO and specialized aviation services.”
StandardAero supports the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine family from its 810,000 sq. ft. facility in San Antonio as a CFM LEAP Premier MRO provider, having signed the first non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) in the Americas for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B in March 2023. StandardAero has been providing LEAP quick-turn shop visit (QTSV) services to operators since March 2024, and completed correlation of its first test cell for the LEAP in November 2024, paving the way for performance restoration shop visit (PRSV) inductions.
In addition to establishing MRO capability for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B at its San Antonio facility, StandardAero is also industrializing new engine component repairs for the LEAP family through its Component Repair Services (CRS) network of locations, and its Repair Development Center of Excellence. To date, StandardAero CRS has industrialized nearly 500 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 Training Academy in San Antonio.
StandardAero also holds a CFM International General Support License Agreement (GSLA) for the CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B since 2009, and today serves the global operator base with engine overhaul and test capabilities from two locations across North America: Winnipeg, MB, Canada and DFW International Airport, TX, USA. The company provides an extensive range of additional services for the CFM56 family, including exchange engines, used serviceable material (USM), component repair and overhaul, and EHM data analysis.
GMR Aero Technic, a division of GMR Air Cargo and Aerospace Engineering Ltd, is India’s largest third-party MRO service provider. The company offers base maintenance for narrow body aircraft, specialized services such as structural repairs, avionics upgrades, component repairs and aircraft painting. It also provides line maintenance services in 12 airports in India and one in Nepal, serving a total of 60+ customers/airlines. This is approved by more than 30 global regulators, including EASA, FAA, DGCA, and DGAQA. The GMR School of Aviation, approved by both DGCA and EASA, offers Aircraft Maintenance Engineering licenses and corporate training programs. It is set to serve as a Centre of Excellence for the aerospace industry, producing industry-ready engineers and technicians. See https://www.gmraerotech.in for more information.
A 50:50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, CFM International has redefined international cooperation and helped change the course of commercial aviation since its founding in 1974. 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. CFM International produces the LEAP family of engines and supports LEAP and CFM56 fleets for operators worldwide. See www.cfmaeroengines.com for more information.
StandardAero is a leading independent pure-play provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, serving the commercial, military and business aviation end markets. StandardAero provides a comprehensive suite of critical, value-added aftermarket solutions, including engine maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, on-wing and field service support, asset management and engineering solutions. StandardAero is an NYSE-listed company under the ticker symbol SARO. www.standardaero.com fiinews.com
