Safran Aircraft Engines, a world-leading aircraft engine manufacturer, has announced at the Farnborough International Airshow the construction in Querétaro of a new maintenance shop and the extension of its production plant, both dedicated to the CFM LEAP engine. The announcement was made by the Governor of Querétaro Mauricio Kuri, along with Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran, and Jean-Paul Alary, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines.

Safran Aircraft Engines is investing $80 million in the construction of its second MRO shop, which is scheduled to begin operations by 2026. This 14,000 square meter plant will add significant capacities to the LEAP MRO global network in order to support the ramp-up of the service activities. Safran Aircraft Engine Services Americas will increase its annual capacity by 150 engines bringing its total capacity to 350 engines by 2030, with the creation of nearly 500 direct jobs. The facility will be located next to the new test bench that is currently being built. The new shop is also designed to meet the best environmental standards, as part of Safran’s low carbon strategy.

Additionally, Safran Aircraft Engines will extend its engine production plant Safran Aircraft Engines Mexico (SAEM) for the new LEAP fan and turbine modules as well as the final assembly lines to support the production ramp-up of the new generation CFM engine, creating 150 jobs. The LEAP engine is a major commercial success, with over 7,500 units already in operation, logging more than 50 million flight hours, and an order backlog that tops 10,600 units.

“With the implementation of these two plants, Mexico will position itself among the few countries capable of covering the entire engine lifecycle from manufacturing of parts, module and engine assembly, maintenance and repair, to testing ”, said Jean-Paul Alary, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines. ”Since we opened our first plant in Querétaro, we have developed here an operational excellence in production and maintenance that contributes to providing our customers with the best standards in terms of quality.”

"I am proud of the mutual commitment between the state of Querétaro and Safran Aircraft Engines to further invest in the state, which has resulted in the creation of 650 jobs and strengthens Querétaro’s position as a global hub for the aerospace industry. This reflects Safran's confidence in our region and our ability to support innovation and excellence," added the Governor of Querétaro Mauricio Kuri.

Safran has been operating in Mexico for more than 30 years and now counts 18 facilities and nearly 14,000 employees in the country. The Group is currently the number one employer in the country’s aerospace industry. In Queretaro, 3,300+ employees currently work for Safran Aircraft Engines and Safran Landing Systems.

“We are delighted to strengthen our partnership with the Government of Querétaro through these two major projects, which reflect Safran’s commitment to long-term development in Mexico,” said Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran. “As a global company, we will keep investing in countries where we benefit from a comprehensive aerospace ecosystem including skills, training, academic partnerships and low-carbon infrastructures. We have found these assets in Querétaro, paving the way to more industrial successes in the future.”