Announced in Paris on 10 February 2026, the agreement includes the provision of spare parts and parts repair support from CFM for two new engine Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities that Ryanair plans to establish in Europe from 2029. The agreement also includes a services arrangement covering both CFM56 and LEAP engines during the ramp-up phase of Ryanair’s new MRO operations.

The announcement was made by Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary and Safran CEO Olivier Andriès. Safran is one of the two parent companies of CFM. The material services agreement is intended to support Ryanair’s transition towards bringing engine maintenance activities in-house once the new facilities become fully operational.

The agreement represents a continuation of the long-standing relationship between Ryanair and CFM, which dates back to 1998. Ryanair operates the world’s largest fleet of CFM-powered Boeing aircraft and the largest fleet of CFM56 engines in Europe. The airline operates more than 400 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft powered by CFM56 engines and currently has more than 200 LEAP-1B-powered Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in service. Ryanair has also placed an order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, with a further 150 aircraft held as options.

Michael O’Leary said the agreement extends the long-term partnership between the two companies through a multi-billion-dollar spares support arrangement. He noted that CFM has supported Ryanair’s CFM56 engines under a long-term power-by-the-hour agreement for approximately 30 years. From 2029, Ryanair plans to progressively move engine maintenance activities in-house, supported by spare parts provisioning and technical support from CFM. Ryanair expects the spare engines and spare parts supply element of the contract could exceed US$1 billion annually once the airline fully transitions to in-house maintenance.

Olivier Andriès said the agreement strengthens a strategic relationship built over three decades and supports Ryanair’s continued growth through an expanded MRO services framework. He added that ongoing investment is being made in a global MRO network to support airline customers in optimising fleet efficiency and managing operational costs.

H. Lawrence Culp Jr., Chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, said Ryanair remains one of GE Aerospace’s largest customers. He noted that the MoU supports efforts to increase maintenance capacity and reduce turnaround times through an open MRO ecosystem approach.

CFM LEAP engines have seen rapid fleet introduction across commercial aviation. The engines incorporate technologies including composite fan blades and ceramic matrix composites, delivering approximately 15 percent improved fuel efficiency and 15 percent lower carbon emissions compared with previous-generation CFM56 engines. The engines are supported by advanced health monitoring systems and are designed to support high utilisation rates in narrowbody aircraft operations.