PARIS (Reuters) - French aerospace firm Safran (SAF.PA) is sticking to production targets for the LEAP jet engine, but is still unwilling to back proposals for higher output from Airbus and Boeing until it is convinced its own suppliers can keep up, its chief executive said on Wednesday.
Safran co-owns the world’s largest jet engine supplier, based on the number of units produced, along with General Electric (GE.N) and their plans for a record hike in output of LEAP are 4-6 weeks behind schedule.
“I want to be virtually certain about the robustness of the supply chain before committing to higher production,” Philippe Petitcolin said.
CFM International, the joint venture that makes LEAP engines, aims to deliver around 1,100 of the engines this year, followed by 1,800 next year and hitting the 2,000 mark in 2020.
Its factories are currently churning out 12 LEAP engines a week for the Airbus A320 family and 14 a week for the Boeing 737. By the end of the year it aims to raise the weekly rate by two engines for Airbus (AIR.PA) and 4-6 for Boeing (BA.N), Petitcolin said.
Engine makers have been struggling to keep up with demand triggered by a new generation of fuel-saving engines.
CFM has been spared most of the delays felt by rival Pratt & Whitney or technical problems seen at Rolls-Royce (RR.L), but its performance has widespread economic implications since it powers 75 percent of the world’s most-used narrowbody jets.
Petitcolin said CFM continues to see demand for the previous generation of engines, its
