Safran seals partnerships in Morocco for its future LEAP maintenance shop

October 30, 2024, Marrakech, Morocco

At the Marrakech Air Show 2024, Safran Aircraft Engines has announced the signing of several agreements with Moroccan partners ahead of construction of its new LEAP engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) shop[1]. The new facility, scheduled to start operations in 2026 as announced on October 28th during French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Rabat, will be located in close vicinity to Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport.

The first agreement involves a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Moroccan Aerospace Industries Association (GIMAS) for the training of engine mechanics and technicians. Addressing the needs of both Safran Aircraft Engines' existing MRO subsidiary SAESM and its future dedicated LEAP MRO shop, the MoU covers the development and provision of training for between 60 and 100 people per year, commencing early 2025. Trainees will benefit from existing infrastructure, as well as new, purpose-built facilities belonging to Morocco's foremost training providers, to ensure the development of the skills required for Safran's LEAP MRO activities.

Two additional agreements concern plans for the new MRO shop in the Midparc aerospace hub (a free trade zone), located in the Casablanca airport zone. The first covers the purchase of a 6-hectare (≈ 15-acre) plot of land through MedZ, a subsidiary of Morocco's state-owned financial institution Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, which specializes in the development of business parks. And the second involves a service contract with Midparc for the new MRO shop real estate project.

Following the inking of the agreements at the Marrakech Air Show, Safran Aircraft Engines CEO Jean-Paul Alary said: "We're now in an optimal position to begin construction of our new MRO shop at the start of 2025 and launch operations around one year later. I'm delighted that we'll be working with these foremost partners. They will ensure we benefit from the highest standards of training, infrastructure and low-carbon performance."

Once complete, the new MRO shop will employ more than 600 people. It will have the capacity to handle 150 engines per year, allowing it to meet fast-growing demand for LEAP shop visits, especially from airlines based in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

Additionally, the new facility will expand Safran's industrial footprint in Morocco, where the Group has been present for a quarter of a century. Safran currently employs nearly 4,700 people at eight companies or joint ventures. The Group leads Morocco's aerospace sector and maintains close partnerships with local companies and the country's government institutions and training providers. Established in 1999, Safran Aircraft Engine Services Morocco (SAESM)[2] was the first aerospace company to set up in Morocco, and has since become a major center of excellence for CFM56 engine maintenance. In April this year, Safran Aircraft Engines and its partner Royal Air Maroc signed an MoU for the facility's continued growth, enabling it to increase the number of CFM56 engine shop visits from 70 to 100 a year by 2026.

[1] The LEAP engine is produced by CFM International, a 50/50 joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace. It powers the new-generation Airbus A320neo, Boeing 737 MAX and COMAC C919 narrowbody airliners.

[2] A joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and Royal Air Maroc created in 1999.