Brussels Airport and Safran expand LEAP engine maintenance hub with new industrial “Module Factory”

Brussels Airport and aerospace group Safran have launched construction of a major new maintenance facility dedicated to aircraft engine modules, marking a significant expansion of their existing partnership at the airport site.

The new 15,000 m² extension at Safran Aircraft Engine Services Brussels will focus on modular maintenance of CFM LEAP engine components, allowing parts of engines to be serviced separately to improve efficiency and reduce turnaround times. The facility is expected to support rising global demand for engine maintenance and strengthen Brussels Airport’s position as a European aerospace maintenance hub.

By 2028, the site is projected to process up to 1,500 engine modules annually and create around 250 additional jobs, increasing the total workforce at the site to more than 600 employees.

The expansion builds on Safran’s existing LEAP engine maintenance workshop, opened in 2024, which already services engines powering next-generation aircraft such as the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX families.

Airport CEO Arnaud Feist described the investment as a sign of confidence in Brussels Airport’s industrial ecosystem and its role as a high-value economic centre in Belgium. Safran executives highlighted the project’s importance in scaling up global LEAP engine support and consolidating operations at a single specialised site.

The new facility is also being designed with sustainability features, including an energy-neutral target through on-site renewable production, rainwater reuse systems, and construction approaches aligned with circular economy principles.