Safran's chief executive, Olivier Andries, said on Friday that CFM will do what it can to accommodate any request from Airbus for additional engines this year beyond pre-arranged quantities, but that meeting existing supply obligations remains the company's priority.
Industry sources have described Airbus as being in a standoff with Pratt & Whitney over deliveries, a situation that has threatened the planemaker's core production objectives and prompted it to seek extra engines from CFM to adjust capacity.
Andries made clear that CFM's internal projections, included in Safran's annual earnings disclosed on Friday, anticipate a 15% increase in total LEAP engine deliveries this year. He stressed, however, that those forecasts do not factor in any plan to grow CFM's share of the market beyond already agreed volumes.
CFM, which is jointly owned by Safran and GE Aerospace and competes with Pratt & Whitney on engine selections for the A320neo family, has set contractually agreed delivery volumes with Airbus for 2026.
"As with each year, if we can do more we will, but our commitment corresponds with our share of the market," Andries said.
Previous reporting has indicated that Airbus' production target is uncertain because it lacks a signed supply agreement with Pratt & Whitney for 2026 and 2027. Airbus has signalled plans to increase output of the A320neo family to 75 aircraft per month in 2027, up from roughly 60 per month at present, but the company has postponed that target repeatedly owing to supply-chain issues.
Airbus has previously reported late arrivals of engines, particularly those produced by Pratt & Whitney, and has in the past flagged issues with CFM deliveries as well. Pratt & Whitney said at the Singapore Airshow last week that it remained confident an agreement with Airbus would be reached.
Airbus declined to comment ahead of its earnings announcement scheduled for February 19.
Context and implications
- CFM's stated willingness to provide additional engines is conditional and secondary to meeting its contracted obligations.
- The 15% projected rise in LEAP deliveries reflects CFM's internal outlook for the year but does not imply a deliberate plan to capture a larger market share from competitors.
- The unresolved supply arrangement between Airbus and Pratt & Whitney for 2026-27 is a key factor keeping Airbus' production ramp plans uncertain.