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Delta Air Lines has announced an expansion of its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, becoming the first and only North American carrier licensed to support both the CFM LEAP-1A and CFM LEAP-1B. Delta TechOps joined CFM International’s MRO network back in 2022 with the Boeing 737 MAX’s LEAP-1B engine, before achieving full LEAP capability with the LEAP-1A this month.
The move certifies Delta to perform MRO operations for a large bulk of the global narrowbody fleet for decades to come. The LEAP engine powers the A320neo and 737 MAX families of aircraft, which are the latest generation models of the two best-selling narrowbody programs in history.
Delta TechOps Achieves Full LEAP MRO Capability
In an announcement this week, Atlanta-based carrier Delta revealed that its MRO division, Delta TechOps, has expanded its CFM International LEAP engine portfolio to include the LEAP-1A, which is one of two engine options for the Airbus A320neo family. This complements the carrier’s capability to service the LEAP-1B, the exclusive engine powering the Boeing 737 MAX, strengthening its position in the global MRO market.
Delta TechOps is also one of a select few ‘CFM Premier MRO’ providers, a position that it says “reflects CFM’s confidence in its technical depth and consistent performance.” The two companies began their close partnership in July 2022 when Delta TechOps became a Premier MRO provider for the LEAP-1B. With the capability to service both LEAP engine types, the company can now expand its global client list as a leading third-party MRO provider. As stated by Gaël Méheust, president and CEO of CFM International,
“Delta was one of our first and remains one of our biggest customers, and we are forever linked in history. Today’s agreement strengthens that relationship even further.”
The LEAP-1A And 1-B Engines
The CFM LEAP (Leading Edge Aviation Propulsion) engine family is the successor to CFM’s hugely successful CFM56 engine, becoming the fastest-selling jet engine program in history. LEAP engines are now collectively approaching 100 million flight hours and are capable of delivering up to 20% better fuel efficiency than predecessor models.
The LEAP-1A made its entry into service in 2016 on an Airbus A320neo operated by Pegasus Airlines, while the LEAP-1B followed a year later. The most striking difference between the two engines is the fan diameter and bypass ratio, primarily driven by ground clearance limits. The LEAP-1A has a larger 78-inch fan diameter and bypass ratio of 11:1, while the LEAP-1B has a 69.4-inch fan diameter to avoid scraping the ground, due to the 737 MAX’s lower profile.
In December, Delta TechOps signed its first third-party maintenance contract for the LEAP-1B with Korean Air, covering engines in the carrier’s growing 737 MAX fleet. Delta itself is eagerly awaiting its own fleet of 100 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, which have been held up by ongoing certification issues.
Why Can’t The Boeing 737 MAX Be Powered By Any Other Engine Type?
Why the 737 MAX uses only the LEAP-1B: Boeing’s design limits, certification rules, and engine geometry make any other powerplant impossible.
About Delta TechOps
Based out of 
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Delta TechOps’ primary mission is to service Delta’s massive mainline fleet of almost 1,000 aircraft. With a workforce of over 13,000 employees worldwide, the MRO division has significantly expanded its remit in recent years, now serving over 150 third-party customers.
Along with its huge 63-acre facility at ATL, the company maintains over 40 stations globally, where it is certified to work on other engine types, such as the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM, CFM56, GEnx and Trent XWB. According to the company, its team of more than 6,600 aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) worked on over 230,000 individual components in 2025, including over 55,000 tire repairs.
As the largest MRO provider in North America, Delta TechOps logged almost $1 billion in revenue last year, representing a significant 25% year-on-year increase. In fact, Delta is now reporting TechOps’ financial results as a standalone entity, given how tremendous its growth has been.
