Cyprus-based UAMCO and the US’s GE Aerospace enter milestone MRO collaboration

US company GE Aerospace has signed a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) offload agreement with Cyprus-based United Aerospace Maintenance Company (UAMCO) in what has been heralded as a milestone collaboration welcomed by both Cypriot and US officials.

GE Aerospace is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems specialist with an installed base of approximately 44,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines and a global team of 52,000 employees.

In a post on X, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry George Papanastasiou said, “Congratulations to Cyprus based UAMCO for the maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) offload agreement with GE Aerospace. This development further reinforces the Cyprus-US strategic partnership and our country's status as an international business hub.”

US Ambassador to Cyprus, Julie Fisher, in her post on X, stated. “Thrilled about the landmark partnership between GE Aerospace and CFM LEAP MRO! This deal marks a significant step forward in innovation and collaboration. Together, they are taking flight towards a brighter, more connected future.”

According to GE Aerospace’s announcement on the deal, the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) offload agreement with United Aerospace Maintenance Company (UAMCO) in Cyprus “will focus on quick turn workscopes for CFM LEAP engines. The agreement will help GE Aerospace fulfill its obligations to CFM for MRO capacity as part of an open MRO ecosystem for LEAP engines.”

CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.

As noted in the announcement, the open ecosystem includes CFM internal capacity, supplied by GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, as well as external capacity from Premier MRO shops and other third-party providers who compete for MRO work.

“This agreement validates our commitment to safety, quality, technology and innovation – and to a spirit of cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the United States,” commented John Savvides, CEO at UAMCO, “CFM LEAP engines power the world’s most popular passenger aircraft, and we look forward to working with GE Aerospace on the maintenance of these engines.”

Energy Minister George Papanastasiou and John Savvides, CEO at UAMCO

As noted in the same announcement, UAMCO recently secured EASA approval for quick turn maintenance for LEAP-1A engines for Airbus A320neo family aircraft, and for LEAP-1B engines for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. Based in Larnaca, the MRO provider will focus on meeting the engine maintenance needs of customers in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.

The company is already working with GE Aerospace On-Wing Support (OWS) to support on-wing and near-wing retrofits of the new reverse bleed system (RBS) for LEAP-1A engines. UAMCO currently has two teams who can perform these installations anywhere in the world, the announcement said.

“UAMCO offers an impressive set of MRO capabilities and capacity,” said Tom Levin, vice president of CFM commercial programs at GE Aerospace. “We depend on strategically located providers like UAMCO to help us meet unprecedented demand for LEAP engines, decrease turnaround time, and maintain the highest standards of safety and quality.”

The CFM LEAP engine family offers 15 percent better fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions compared to CFM56 engines, with operators reporting up to 20 percent savings compared to prior-generation aircraft. With more than 3,500 LEAP-powered aircraft in service, the engine has allowed CFM customers to save more than 35 million tons of CO2 emissions. The LEAP engine has been the most successful new product introduction in CFM’s 50-year history, with the fastest-ever ramp-up of engine flight hours in commercial aviation – surpassing 60 million hours in just eight years.