Paris, Amstelveen, 04 July 2018 - AFI KLM E&M has successfully completed an engine build-up workscope on a LEAP-1B engine for client airline TUI Group at its Amsterdam-Schiphol facility. AFI KLM E&M has thus demonstrated its ability already to take charge of light maintenance on CFM's new-generation engine and to meet early needs of operating airlines.

On wing/On-site expertise
Engine build-up operations involve mounting all the related components (supports, ducting, electrical harnesses, LRUs, etc.) on a basic engine block. TUI Group, which earlier this year took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX out of a total order of 72 aircraft ordered for its various airlines called on the expertise of AFI KLM E&M to perform the build-up on a spare LEAP-1B. With this first major intervention on behalf of a client airline, the MRO Group is consolidating its experience and knowledge of the LEAP and is again leveraging its know-how in the sphere of on-wing/on-site support, especially as regards a new-generation engine.

Ramp-up
AFI KLM E&M, which has provided support when new engines go into service on a number of occasions in the past, is capitalizing on the experience and know-how of its teams to support early-stage operations on the LEAP worldwide. It has shown, with this first successful workscope, that it is ready to meet the needs of its client airlines.

Anders Nordkvist, Head of Powerplant & End of Lease, TUI Group Engineering & Maintenance said: "TUI is very satisfied with the services delivered by AFI KLM E&M teams in respect of the engine build-up. We are well aware of the quality and reliability of the MRO Group's work, carrying out on-wing/on-site interventions on Boeing 787s for TUI airlines, and we thus confidently looked to their expertise for this LEAP workscope."

Anne Brachet, Executive Vice President AIR FRANCE KLM Engineering & Maintenance, added: "We are delighted with the trust shown in us by TUI, which has called on AFI KLM E&M to cover its initial interventions on the LEAP engine. The Group will now continue to ramp up its support capabilities for the LEAP by finalizing on-wing/on-site and shop capabilities by responding as soon as necessary to requests from its clients, and ultimately taking on more complex tasks on a Quick Turn basis."