Europe’s largest low‑cost carrier, Ryanair, announced a strategic agreement with aerospace group Safran to set up its own engine‑maintenance facilities. The move aims to lock in a reliable supply chain as the market grapples with a shortage of new aircraft and soaring passenger demand.
Under the long‑term, multi‑billion‑dollar deal, Ryanair will purchase all spare‑part kits for its engines directly from CFM – the Safran‑GE joint venture – and will launch two European maintenance workshops starting in 2029.
“For three decades CFM has handled Ryanair’s CFM56 engine servicing on a per‑flight‑hour basis,” said Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s CEO. “From 2029 we will internalise that work to gain greater control over costs and delivery times.”
Scope of the partnership
The contract covers both the current CFM56 and the newer LEAP engines that power Ryanair’s expanding Boeing 737 fleet, which is slated to reach 800 aircraft and more than 2,000 engines.
By operating its own workshops, Ryanair expects to spend over $1 billion annually on spare‑part kits bought straight from CFM, bypassing third‑party price hikes and long lead times.
Why the shift matters now
Production delays at Airbus and Boeing, persistent supply‑chain bottlenecks, and limited capacity at engine manufacturers have stretched delivery schedules. Owning maintenance capabilities lets Ryanair mitigate these risks and keep its planes flying on schedule.
O’Leary warned of “significant inflation in new‑aircraft, engine and repair costs over the next decade” until supply chains normalise. Having its own workshops will, he believes, “cap inflation and safeguard parts availability.”
Safran is simultaneously expanding its global maintenance network – adding sites in Belgium, India, Mexico and France with a €1 billion investment – reinforcing the partnership’s long‑term outlook.
Contingency and future outlook
Both parties highlighted that a self‑sufficient maintenance chain provides a safety net against unforeseen events such as geopolitical crises, pandemics or major industry shocks.
The agreement marks the next chapter in a relationship that began in 1998, cementing Ryanair’s status as the world’s largest operator of Boeing 737s equipped with CFM engines, including the most extensive CFM56 fleet in Europe.