Delta TechOps announced on Mar. 11 that it has become the first and only North American airline maintenance, repair, and overhaul provider licensed to support both the CFM International LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines.
This development is significant as demand for narrowbody jets continues to rise globally. The addition of full overhaul capability for CFM LEAP-1A engines further strengthens Delta TechOps’ position in next-generation engine maintenance for advanced narrowbody fleets.
“With LEAP engines now representing a significant and fast growing share of the global narrowbody fleet, adding full capability on both 1A and 1B models positions Delta TechOps squarely at the center of where the market is headed,” said Alain Bellemare, executive vice president of International and newly appointed chairman of Delta TechOps. “This milestone strengthens Delta TechOps’ global relevance and positions us as a trusted, operator-backed MRO partner in a market that will define commercial aviation for decades.”
Delta TechOps is among a select group of CFM Premier MRO providers for the LEAP engine family, reflecting CFM’s confidence in its technical expertise. “Both CFM and Delta are deeply committed to an innovative and open MRO ecosystem,” said Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM International. “Delta was one of our first and remains one of our biggest customers, and we are forever linked in history. Today’s agreement strengthens that relationship even further.”
The LEAP-1A engine powers the Airbus A320neo family while the LEAP-1B serves as the exclusive power plant for the Boeing 737 MAX 10, which Delta has ordered with deliveries set to begin once certification is received. “As the LEAP fleet grows, operators need more options and Delta is ready to help meet that demand with capability across both LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines,” said Marc Meredith, chief commercial officer for Delta TechOps. “Delta technicians are the best in the business. The unmatched care they show for our airplanes is exactly what our customers can expect — quality and performance operators need to keep aircraft flying.”
Globally, more than 150 customers operate over 8,000 installed or spare LEAP engines as of February 2026; these have accumulated over 95 million flight hours across more than 41 million cycles.
Delta Air Lines utilizes a diverse fleet from manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing to support its worldwide routes according to the official website. The company focuses on connecting people globally through secure air travel serving millions via an extensive international system according to its official website. It connects more than 350 destinations worldwide according to its official website.
Delta Air Lines operates as a publicly traded entity incorporated in Delaware under U.S. law according to its official website. It delivers scheduled transport services for passengers and cargo across domestic and international sites according to its official website, functioning as a leading global carrier offering planned services for passenger and freight transport according to its official website.
For over four decades, Delta TechOps has maintained CFM engines across its own fleet as well as those of other global customers. Its early involvement in supporting both legacy CFM56 engines—the most successful commercial jet engine—and now full overhaul capabilities for both models of the new generation reflects long-term collaboration between Delta Air Lines and CFM International.
