Air Corsica Partners With StandardAero to Expand LEAP-1A Engine Maintenance Support for A320neo Fleet
StandardAero a leading independent provider of aerospace engine aftermarket services, has been selected by Air Corsica to deliver a range of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for CFM International LEAP-1A engines powering the airline’s Airbus A320neo fleet. The agreement expands an established relationship between the two companies and strengthens StandardAero’s position in the global market for next-generation commercial aircraft engine support.
The agreement covers Performance Restoration Shop Visit (PRSV) services, which are designed to restore engine performance and support continued operational reliability. Through the partnership, Air Corsica will gain access to StandardAero’s authorized LEAP-1A maintenance capabilities at its facility in San Antonio, Texas. StandardAero operates as a CFM LEAP Premier MRO provider, offering original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-authorized services to airlines and engine asset owners worldwide.
The selection represents an important development in Air Corsica’s fleet modernization strategy as the airline continues operating a combination of Airbus A320-family aircraft and ATR regional turboprops. Reliable engine maintenance is essential to maintaining aircraft availability, supporting scheduled services and delivering consistent passenger experiences. By extending its collaboration with StandardAero to include LEAP-1A engines, Air Corsica can build on an existing service relationship while addressing the maintenance requirements of its newer-generation aircraft.
Expanded Engine Maintenance Services for Air Corsica
Under the new agreement, Air Corsica will be able to benefit from the broad portfolio of LEAP-1A services available through StandardAero’s San Antonio operation. In addition to Performance Restoration Shop Visits, the company offers Quick-Turn Shop Visits (QTSVs), engine component repairs, short-term engine leasing and Engine Health Monitoring (EHM) data analysis.
These capabilities address different aspects of engine lifecycle management. Performance restoration work focuses on recovering engine performance, while quick-turn shop visits can support maintenance requirements that need to be addressed within a shorter turnaround period. Component repair services provide additional options for maintaining individual engine parts, and short-term leasing can help operators manage temporary engine availability requirements.
Engine Health Monitoring data analysis also supports maintenance planning by helping operators evaluate engine operating information and identify potential maintenance needs. Together, these services provide airlines with access to a range of solutions intended to support engine reliability, maintenance planning and fleet operations.
For Air Corsica, the agreement provides a pathway to extend an established supplier relationship into another engine platform. The airline has previously relied on StandardAero for maintenance support involving its legacy ATR regional turboprops and its newer ATR 72-600 aircraft. The relationship between the companies dates back to 2023.
The latest agreement builds on that experience, allowing the airline to work with a familiar maintenance partner as its operational requirements evolve. It also adds Air Corsica to a growing group of operators and engine asset owners across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and North America that use StandardAero’s services for CFM LEAP engines.
Air Corsica Highlights the Importance of an Established Partnership
Jean Luc Moine, Technical Director at Air Corsica, said the company’s experience with StandardAero had helped establish confidence in the partnership.
“StandardAero has been a trusted partner, supporting the reliability of our operations as our ATR fleet has evolved with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M-XT engine,” Moine said.
He explained that extending the collaboration to cover LEAP-1A maintenance was a natural next step as Air Corsica continues modernizing its fleet with the Airbus A320neo.
Moine added that working with a partner familiar with the airline’s operational requirements would provide confidence in maintaining the reliability and service levels passengers expect.
The comments highlight the importance of continuity in aircraft maintenance arrangements. Airlines must coordinate engine maintenance with aircraft utilization, operational schedules and passenger service requirements. Working with an established service provider can help simplify these processes by building on existing technical knowledge and commercial relationships.
For Air Corsica, adding LEAP-1A support to its existing arrangement with StandardAero provides continuity as the carrier expands its maintenance requirements across different aircraft and engine types.
StandardAero Expands Its LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B Capabilities
StandardAero also welcomed the expanded relationship, emphasizing its commitment to supporting Air Corsica’s Airbus A320neo operations.
Guillaume Limouzy, Regional Sales Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at StandardAero, said the company was pleased to extend its existing relationship with Air Corsica to include LEAP-1A MRO services.
He noted that the company appreciated the confidence Air Corsica had demonstrated through the new agreement and looked forward to providing reliable, high-quality LEAP engine services for the airline and its passengers over the coming years.
StandardAero has been developing its LEAP engine maintenance capabilities at its 810,000-square-foot facility in San Antonio. The company supports both the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine variants, which power aircraft in the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX families, respectively.
In March 2023, StandardAero signed the first non-airline CFM Branded Service Agreement (CBSA) in the Americas covering the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. The agreement established an important foundation for the company’s expansion into authorized LEAP aftermarket support.
StandardAero subsequently began providing Quick-Turn Shop Visit services for LEAP operators in March 2024. In November 2024, the company completed correlation of its first LEAP engine test cell, an important milestone that helped prepare the facility to accept Performance Restoration Shop Visit inductions.
These developments demonstrate the progressive expansion of StandardAero’s LEAP service capabilities, from initial maintenance offerings to a broader portfolio of engine repair and performance restoration work.
Component Repairs and Workforce Development
Alongside its engine shop capabilities, StandardAero is expanding its LEAP component repair operations through its Component Repair Services (CRS) network and Repair Development Center of Excellence.
The company has industrialized more than 475 component repairs for the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engine variants. Developing and industrializing component repairs can broaden the range of maintenance solutions available to operators and support the efficient management of engine parts throughout their service lives.
The CRS network and Repair Development Center of Excellence contribute to this effort by developing repair processes and preparing them for implementation across the company’s repair operations. This complements StandardAero’s engine-level maintenance services and strengthens its ability to support a wide range of LEAP maintenance requirements.
Workforce development is another element of the company’s strategy. StandardAero continues to expand its team of LEAP technicians through its in-house Aviation Mechanic Training Program at its Training Academy in San Antonio.
Developing specialized technical expertise is important as the aviation aftermarket adapts to newer engine technologies. Modern commercial engines require trained personnel, suitable testing infrastructure and specialized repair processes. By investing in technician training alongside facility and repair capability development, StandardAero is working to support the long-term needs of LEAP operators.
Air Corsica’s Role in Regional Connectivity
Founded in 1989, Air Corsica serves as the regional airline of Corsica, connecting the Mediterranean island with mainland France through year-round scheduled flights and serving selected European destinations.
The airline operates a fleet that includes Airbus A320-family aircraft and ATR turboprops. These aircraft support different operational requirements, from connections between Corsica and mainland destinations to regional services using turboprop aircraft.
Air connectivity is particularly important for an island-based region, where air services contribute to passenger mobility, tourism and wider economic activity. Maintaining dependable aircraft operations is therefore a central consideration for the airline.
As Air Corsica continues to modernize its fleet, access to maintenance services for its newer aircraft engines will remain an important part of its operational planning. The agreement with StandardAero extends the airline’s existing maintenance relationship to the LEAP-1A platform, providing access to specialized services for its Airbus A320neo fleet.
CFM International and the LEAP Engine Family
CFM International is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. Founded in 1974, the company has played a significant role in commercial aviation through its engine development and aftermarket support activities.
CFM International produces the LEAP engine family and supports LEAP and CFM56 engines used by operators around the world. Its product portfolio focuses on efficiency, reliability, durability and optimized ownership costs for commercial aircraft operators.
The LEAP family represents a newer generation of commercial aircraft engines, making a broad international maintenance network important to airlines seeking dependable support throughout their engines’ operating lives.
StandardAero’s role as a CFM LEAP Premier MRO provider gives operators access to OEM-authorized maintenance services, while its investment in shop visits, component repairs, testing infrastructure and technician training supports the continued expansion of its aftermarket capabilities.
Strengthening Long-Term Aviation Support
The agreement between Air Corsica and StandardAero combines an established commercial relationship with an expanded technical service scope. Air Corsica gains access to LEAP-1A Performance Restoration Shop Visit services for its Airbus A320neo fleet, while StandardAero extends its support for an existing airline customer into another engine platform.
The partnership also reflects the broader importance of specialized aftermarket providers as airlines introduce newer aircraft and engine technologies. Maintenance facilities, component repair capabilities, engine monitoring expertise and skilled technicians all contribute to supporting aircraft availability and long-term engine performance.
With its San Antonio facility and expanding LEAP repair network, StandardAero is continuing to develop its ability to serve operators across multiple international markets. For Air Corsica, the new agreement represents a continuation of a relationship established in 2023 and an additional step in supporting the airline’s evolving fleet requirements.
As both companies move forward with the expanded arrangement, the focus will be on delivering authorized LEAP-1A maintenance services that support reliable airline operations and the continued development of Air Corsica’s Airbus A320neo fleet.
