CFM wins approval for jet engine durability boost

FARNBOROUGH, England, July ‌18 (Reuters) - Jet engine ​maker ​CFM International said it had won U.S. and European approvals for an upgrade that would ‌improve durability of engines used on Boeing 737 ⁠MAX jets.

The world's largest engine maker by units sold, jointly owned ‌by GE Aerospace and ‌France's Safran, said the "durability kit" for LEAP-1B engines would echo improvements available for Airbus A320neo jets powered ​by the LEAP-1A model.

It will double "time on wing" or gaps between key repairs in hot and harsh ⁠environments like the Middle East and India, CFM executives told a briefing ahead ​of the Farnborough Airshow.

Long waiting times for repairs have been a major concern for airlines ​and hobbled part of their ‌fleets in recent years, though disruption has been gradually easing.

The problems stem from significant fuel ⁠savings in the latest generation of engines that were only achieved at the expense of unexpectedly high wear and ⁠tear, lengthening waiting times for repairs and forcing some airlines to ​ground aircraft.

CFM said it had now reached a "near zero" number of LEAP-powered planes being grounded due to maintenance delays.

Rival Pratt & Whitney, which ‌competes with CFM to power A320neo jets, has reported steady improvement in disruption from ‌maintenance delays and metal contamination issues.

CFM said its new ⁠update can be added ‌during maintenance and ​will be included on the production line for new engines.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Aidan ‌Lewis)

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