IndiGo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CFM International for the purchase of 1,000 LEAP-1A engines to power 510 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, marking the largest single order ever placed for LEAP engines and a record-breaking deal for the engine manufacturer.
The agreement also strengthens the long-standing partnership between India’s largest airline and CFM International, extending beyond engine supply to include maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) support and long-term material services aimed at supporting IndiGo’s rapidly expanding global operations.
Deal reinforces IndiGo’s global expansion plans
The MoU includes CFM’s support in establishing IndiGo’s upcoming engine MRO facility, alongside a long-term material services agreement covering spare parts supply. The arrangement is designed to ensure high aircraft dispatch reliability, predictable maintenance costs and enhanced operational efficiency as the airline significantly expands its fleet.
The order will power future deliveries of 510 Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, further consolidating IndiGo’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing airlines.
Partnership enters a new phase
IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Designate Willie Walsh said the airline was pleased to deepen its long-standing relationship with CFM as it enters its next phase of growth towards becoming a truly global airline.
He noted that CFM has supported IndiGo’s growth since 2016 and currently powers a fleet of more than 375 Airbus A320/A321 Family aircraft operated by the airline. Walsh said the LEAP engine’s proven reliability, operational efficiency and fuel-saving capabilities make it the ideal choice to support IndiGo’s ambitious expansion and sustainability goals while continuing to deliver safe and reliable services across its growing domestic and international network.
Decade-long relationship
IndiGo’s association with CFM spans a decade. The airline initially operated Airbus A320ceo aircraft powered by CFM56-5B engines before placing its first LEAP-1A engine order in 2019 for its Airbus A320neo and A321neo fleet.
The latest agreement significantly expands that relationship and underscores IndiGo’s confidence in the LEAP engine platform.
GE Aerospace highlights India’s strategic importance
GE Aerospace Chairman and Chief Executive Officer H. Lawrence Culp Jr. said the renewed agreement reflects the trust IndiGo has placed in CFM over the past decade.
He said LEAP engines have demonstrated exceptional reliability by delivering up to twice the time on wing in demanding operating environments compared with when they first entered service, while continuing to offer superior fuel efficiency.
Culp also highlighted GE Aerospace’s four-decade commitment to India’s aviation sector, citing its manufacturing facility in Pune, engineering operations in Bengaluru and an extensive domestic supplier network that support the country’s aerospace ecosystem.
Safran to expand investments
Safran Chief Executive Officer Olivier Andries described the agreement as a historic milestone that reinforces the long-standing partnership between IndiGo and CFM.
He said India has become one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets and remains strategically important for Safran. The company plans to continue investing in LEAP engine production and maintenance capabilities to support IndiGo’s rapid expansion while contributing to the development of India’s aerospace industry.
Last year, Safran inaugurated its 45,000-square-metre LEAP engine MRO facility, its largest such centre globally. The facility is expected to scale up to 300 LEAP engine shop visits annually and includes a next-generation engine test bench.
India emerges as a major LEAP engine market
CFM said India has become its third-largest market, with five Indian airlines currently operating more than 400 LEAP-powered aircraft and having around 2,000 engines on order.
Globally, CFM has delivered more than 10,000 LEAP engines, making it one of the fastest commercial aviation engine programmes in history. The company continues to enhance the engine platform with durability upgrades and maintenance innovations aimed at improving engine availability and reducing lifecycle costs.
The latest order further strengthens IndiGo’s fleet expansion strategy while reinforcing India’s growing importance in the global commercial aviation and aerospace manufacturing landscape.