MTU Maintenance Zhuhai has been authorized to maintain, repair, and overhaul CFM International LEAP engines, it was announced at a Sept 10 ceremony at which the first unit entered the plant.

During the ceremony a groundbreaking was held for the third development phase to handle the load. By 2021, the facility in the Free Trade Zone, Wanzai will have a capacity of 450 shop visits, up from 300 units today. Specializing in V2500 and CFM56 models, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai completed its first expansion in 2012 to increase annual repair capability from 200. 

Groundbreaking ceremony [Photo courtesy MTU-LU]

LEAP stands for "Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion" turbofans. For maintenance, repair, and operation of LEAP-1A, LEAP-1B and other large jetliner engines, it operates under an agreement with CFM International by investors MTU Aero Engines and China Southern Airlines.

Munich-headquartered MTU Aero Engines is a world-leading aircraft engine manufacturer. It can provide maintenance services for nearly 30 types of engines and, in that field has the most comprehensive product portfolio in the world.

Set up in 2001, MTU Maintenance Zhuhai is China's largest maintenance base for civil aviation engines and had repaired more than 2,600 as of end of 2018.