Delta TechOps Expands MRO Capabilities With CFM LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B Engine Support

Delta Air Lines has significantly strengthened its position in the global aviation maintenance industry by expanding the capabilities of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) division, Delta TechOps. The company has become the first and only North American airline authorized to support both the CFM LEAP-1A and CFM LEAP-1B engines.

This milestone marks an important development for Delta TechOps as it broadens its service portfolio to support the engines powering some of the most widely used next-generation narrowbody aircraft in the world. With the LEAP engine family powering both the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft families, the expansion positions Delta TechOps to serve a large portion of the global fleet for many years to come.

Delta TechOps Achieves Full LEAP Engine MRO Capability

Delta Air Lines recently confirmed that its Atlanta-based MRO division has expanded its engine service capabilities to include the CFM LEAP-1A engine. This addition complements the company’s existing ability to maintain and repair the LEAP-1B engine, which powers the Boeing 737 MAX.

Delta TechOps first joined CFM International’s MRO network in 2022 as a Premier MRO provider for the LEAP-1B engine. With the addition of the LEAP-1A, which is one of the engine options for the Airbus A320neo family, Delta TechOps now provides comprehensive support for both engines within the LEAP family.

Being recognized as a CFM Premier MRO provider reflects the strong partnership between Delta TechOps and CFM International. The designation also demonstrates CFM’s confidence in Delta’s technical expertise, operational capabilities, and consistent service performance. With certification to support both engines, Delta TechOps can expand its services to more airlines around the world and strengthen its position as a leading third-party MRO provider.

According to Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International, the relationship between the two companies has deep historical roots and continues to grow stronger. The new agreement further strengthens the long-standing collaboration between Delta and CFM.

The CFM LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B Engines

The CFM LEAP engine family, short for Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion, was developed as the successor to the highly successful CFM56 engine series. Since its introduction, the LEAP program has become the fastest-selling jet engine program in aviation history.

LEAP engines now collectively approach nearly 100 million flight hours worldwide and offer significantly improved performance compared to earlier engine generations. One of the most notable advantages is improved fuel efficiency, with LEAP engines delivering up to 20 percent better fuel burn compared to their predecessors.

The LEAP-1A entered service in 2016 on the Airbus A320neo, with Pegasus Airlines operating the first aircraft equipped with the engine. The LEAP-1B followed in 2017 and was specifically designed for the Boeing 737 MAX.

Although both engines belong to the same family, they feature some structural differences. The LEAP-1A has a larger fan diameter of 78 inches and a bypass ratio of 11:1, which allows for higher efficiency and improved performance. In contrast, the LEAP-1B has a smaller fan diameter of approximately 69.4 inches. This design adjustment is necessary because the Boeing 737 MAX sits closer to the ground, requiring a smaller engine to maintain proper ground clearance.

New Maintenance Contracts and Fleet Expansion

Delta TechOps has already begun leveraging its expanded engine maintenance capabilities. In December, the company signed its first third-party maintenance agreement for the LEAP-1B engine with Korean Air. The contract covers engine support for Korean Air’s growing fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

At the same time, Delta Air Lines is preparing for the arrival of its own fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft. The airline currently has orders for 100 of these aircraft, although deliveries have been delayed due to ongoing certification challenges.

As airlines worldwide continue to adopt next-generation aircraft such as the A320neo and 737 MAX, demand for reliable MRO services for LEAP engines is expected to increase significantly. This creates additional growth opportunities for Delta TechOps in the global maintenance market.

Delta TechOps: A Major Player in the Global MRO Industry

Delta TechOps operates as the maintenance division of Delta Air Lines and is headquartered at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Its primary role is to support Delta’s large mainline fleet, which includes nearly 1,000 aircraft.

Over the years, the company has expanded well beyond internal airline support. Today, Delta TechOps provides maintenance services to more than 150 third-party aviation customers worldwide. The organization employs more than 13,000 professionals globally, including thousands of aviation maintenance technicians responsible for servicing aircraft systems and components.

The company operates a massive 63-acre maintenance facility in Atlanta and maintains more than 40 stations across the globe. These facilities support a wide range of aircraft engines, including the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM, the CFM56, the GE GEnx, and the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB.

Operational activity at Delta TechOps has also grown rapidly. In 2025 alone, the company worked on more than 230,000 individual components, including tens of thousands of tire repairs and other critical maintenance tasks.

Strong Financial Growth for Delta TechOps

The expansion of Delta TechOps’ services has translated into significant financial growth. The company generated nearly $1 billion in revenue last year, representing an impressive 25 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Due to this rapid growth and increasing importance within the aviation services sector, Delta Air Lines has begun reporting TechOps’ financial performance as a standalone business segment. This move highlights the division’s transformation from an internal maintenance provider into one of the largest and most influential MRO companies in North America.

The Future of Delta TechOps in the MRO Market

With full support for both the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines, Delta TechOps is now strategically positioned to support the next generation of narrowbody aircraft for decades to come. As airlines continue modernizing their fleets with fuel-efficient aircraft, the demand for specialized engine maintenance services will only increase.

By expanding its technical capabilities and strengthening partnerships with engine manufacturers such as CFM International, Delta TechOps continues to solidify its role as a key player in the global aviation maintenance industry.