20 June 2023: Sanad, the global aerospace engineering and leasing solutions leader wholly owned by Abu Dhabi’s sovereign investor Mubadala Investment Company PJSC (Mubadala), today signed at Paris Air Show a landmark agreement with GE Aerospace, a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and systems for aircraft, and Safran Aircraft Engines, a world-class commercial and military aircraft engine manufacturer, to expand its MRO services offerings to LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines that  power Airbus A320neo family and Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft and have gained global recognition for exceptional performance and fuel efficiency. 

 

The agreement provides for LEAP engine shop visit offload from both GE and Safran for two new generation engine types for the first time in the history of Sanad.  With this agreement, Safran Aircraft Engines joins the list of long-term Sanad partners, solidifying the company’s reputation as a trusted and reliable provider of comprehensive engine MRO services. This partnership further enhances Sanad’s position as an integral player in the global MRO supply chain as the company has now established partnerships with all major OEMs. 

 

Sanad, GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines have taken a significant step forward by expanding Sanad’s MRO services to encompass LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. These advanced engines are effectively designed to meet the challenge of decarbonizing air transport with enhanced performance in terms of improved fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions. With this agreement, Sanad becomes the first certified LEAP MRO service provider in the SAMENA region, supporting the global LEAP MRO supply chain from its state-of-the-art facility in Abu Dhabi.

 

The popularity of the LEAP engine continues to soar, with LEAP-1A engines currently propelling the majority of A320neo aircraft in the Middle East region.  LEAP engine demonstrates exceptional level of performance embodying the cutting-edge strength of next-generation technology and is poised to establish itself as one of the top-selling engines worldwide. Sanad is well positioned to support this substantial market by leveraging its advanced technical capabilities.

 

Mansoor Janahi, Managing Director and Group CEO of Sanad, said: “We are proud to strengthen our collaboration with GE Aerospace and Safran through this new LEAP agreement. This agreement brings latest engine technology to Sanad, enabling us to support a wider range of engines and to contribute to the UAE’s position as leading global aviation hub. We are committed to delivering exceptional MRO services and looking forward to creating new opportunities for growth and innovation.”

 

Tom Levin, Vice President, CFM Commercial Programs for GE Aerospace, commented: “We continue to enjoy a longstanding relationship with Sanad and continue to be impressed by the company’s commitment to engineering excellence that creates an operational advantage for our LEAP customers. We look forward to collaborating further and supporting growth for Abu Dhabi and the region’s burgeoning aviation sector.”

 

Nicolas Potier, Vice President, Support & Services for Safran Aircraft Engines, added: “We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with Sanad and GE Aerospace. This relationship represents a significant milestone as we are developing additional capacities into our network to address the growing needs of the LEAP aftermarket and optimize our customers ‘operations worldwide.””

 

The partnership between Sanad, GE, and Safran represents a transformative alliance that supports the strategic positioning of Abu Dhabi as a global aviation hub and the UAE’s Operation 300bn initiative. With its expanded MRO footprint and optimized shop facility, Sanad strengthens its ability to service a wider range of engines and customers, further solidifying its industry leadership.