XEOS Opens Leap Engine Facility in Poland

XEOS Opens Leap Engine Maintenance Facility in Poland

XEOS has inaugurated a new Leap engine maintenance facility in Środa Śląska, near Wroclaw, Poland, marking a significant expansion in the region’s aviation services sector. The 380,000-square-foot site is dedicated to the overhaul, repair, and testing of Leap 1A and 1B engine variants, which power the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 Max fleets, respectively.

Expanding Capacity and Strategic Partnerships

Currently, XEOS is conducting Leap 1B shop visits, with Lufthansa Technik—holding a 25% minority stake in the joint venture—inducting its first engine in January. This development follows an agreement with LOT Polish Airlines to supplement Lufthansa Technik’s existing engine shop capacity in Hamburg. LOT, headquartered in Warsaw, operates 18 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and has 13 more on order, encompassing a total of 62 CFM Leap 1B engines including spares. The partnership anticipates an increase in Leap engine maintenance work from LOT under this agreement.

In addition to Leap 1B services, the facility supports module work and engine testing for Leap 1A engines. XEOS plans to expand its overhaul and repair capabilities in the coming months, including the addition of test cell capacity specifically for the Leap 1B. The site features a 13-meter test cell originally constructed for the GEnx and future GE9X engines, positioning the facility for further growth as demand rises.

Investment, Workforce, and Market Position

Originally opened in 2019 with a focus on GE9X and GEnx engines, the facility pivoted to Leap engines in response to shifting market demands following the pandemic. According to XEOS CEO Robert Burton, the initial investment to establish the site was approximately $250 million. The company plans to invest an additional $40 million in 2025 to further adapt the shop for Leap engine models. XEOS expects to induct 36 Leap engines this year, with throughput projected to increase substantially in the coming years.

Workforce development remains a central pillar of XEOS’s strategy. The facility currently employs 250 people, with plans to expand to over 300 by the end of 2025. Burton emphasized the importance of on-site training engines, which enable rapid staffing, training, and capability building to develop a skilled workforce in the Wrocław region. This focus on talent development aligns with XEOS’s ambition to establish itself as a global center of excellence for Leap engine maintenance.

The launch of the facility coincides with rising demand for Leap engine maintenance, presenting both opportunities and challenges. While XEOS aims to meet this demand through expanded capacity and advanced technology, industry observers note that competitors may respond by enhancing their own maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities or investing in similar facilities. Market reactions to XEOS’s investment have been positive, underscoring Poland’s growing strategic importance in the global engine servicing landscape.

“Our commitment to quality and our strategic location in Poland allow us to serve our global customers with unmatched efficiency and expertise,” Burton stated, highlighting XEOS’s role in shaping the future of aviation maintenance in the region.