GE Aerospace Reports US$12.9bn in China Agreements

SHANGHAI — GE Aerospace said November 6 that it had signed sales and service agreements worth more than US$12.9bn at the China International Import Expo, including engines and long-term support for China Eastern Airlines (MU).

Reuters reported the aggregate value and scope of the agreements, citing a GE Aerospace statement. The total covers multiple sales and service arrangements, rather than the price of China Eastern's new-aircraft engines alone.

China Eastern will purchase 202 LEAP-1A engines for 101 Airbus A320neo-family aircraft, Reuters reported. A separate agreement covers 14 spare engines across the LEAP-1A, LEAP-1C and CFM56-7B models. GE Aerospace also reached supply and repair agreements with MTU Maintenance Zhuhai, according to the report.

China Eastern Extends Its LEAP Fleet

CFM International's November 6 announcement confirms China Eastern's engine selection for 101 aircraft, together with spare engines and a long-term services agreement. CFM is a 50/50 joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.

The aircraft will include A320neo, A321neo and A321XLR models, CFM said, without providing an individual delivery schedule in its announcement. It says China Eastern already operates 215 A320neo and A321neo aircraft powered by LEAP-1A engines, making the selection an extension of an established engine fleet.

The airline also uses the LEAP-1B on Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and the LEAP-1C on COMAC C919s, according to CFM. These are distinct engine variants for different aircraft platforms; the spare-engine agreement spans both newer LEAP models and the older CFM56-7B.

MTU's Zhuhai facility description lists LEAP and CFM56 maintenance capabilities. Its separate Jinwan branch, operating since March 2025, focuses on Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines.

The Engine Business Extends Beyond the Initial Sale

GE's latest financial results show the scale of the servicing opportunity. In its third-quarter results released October 20, the company reported a commercial-services backlog exceeding US$170bn. Commercial Engines & Services revenue from services grew 17% year over year in the quarter; spare-parts revenue rose more than 20%.

CFM is also preparing for more LEAP maintenance as the installed fleet grows. Its July maintenance-network update described five-year investment commitments exceeding US$1bn by GE Aerospace and €1bn by Safran Aircraft Engines, alongside expansion of licensed maintenance providers and spare-parts inventories.

Those investments address the support needed after engines are delivered. For airlines, access to replacement engines, parts and repair slots can matter alongside the original purchase price. Airways has examined how engine-maintenance bills can remain elevated even as aircraft availability improves.

Neither CFM's announcement nor Reuters' account supplies a breakdown showing how the US$12.9bn total is divided between engine sales, spare engines and future maintenance.