Fort Worth, Texas, July 8, 2026 | MTU Maintenance has officially opened its modernized Fort Worth facility and inducted its first CFM International LEAP 1B engine. The engine belongs to Brazilian airline GOL Linhas Aéreas (GOL), marking both the start of operations for the site and a new chapter in a long-standing customer partnership.
The grand opening was celebrated with employees, executives, customers and local representatives on site, underscoring the strategic importance of MTU’s growing presence in North America.
GOL, the launch customer, has partnered with MTU for over 20 years, starting with the CFM56 engine, predecessor to CFM LEAP engine. “We are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with MTU as we celebrate this milestone today,” says Albert Pérez, GOL’s Chief Operating Officer. “MTU’s technical expertise and tailored support are crucial to our operations. We rely on their services to ensure the highest reliability and performance for our fleet.”
GOL operates over 60 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines. The Brazilian low-cost carrier was the first South American operator of this engine type.
Expanding MTU’s North American footprint
MTU is expanding its network and capacity globally, with Fort Worth as a Premier MRO provider and key location for North America. In addition to the CFM LEAP engine program, GE Aerospace GEnx services will be introduced to the site in due course.
“As one of the world’s leading engine MRO providers, we are systematically expanding our global footprint,” said Johannes Bussmann, Chief Executive Officer of MTU Aero Engines. “The opening of our Fort Worth facility demonstrates our commitment to growth, to our customers and to strengthening transatlantic partnerships. The site will be a cornerstone of our strategy to support next-generation engine programs at scale.”
Long-term investment and commitment
MTU is investing $120 million to upgrade the 43,000 sqm facility, which it has been expanding since relocating to the site in 2023 to enable full disassembly, assembly and test capabilities. “We are extremely proud of all our team has achieved in a short space of time and look forward to seeing our facility, the team and our customer base grow significantly in the coming years,” adds Gernot Sell, Managing Director, MTU Maintenance Fort Worth. The company’s commitment to the region is reflected in its workforce development: staffing is expected to grow to more than 1,200 once the site is fully ramped up. An on-site training academy is already in operation, supporting the development of highly-skilled aviation professionals and ensuring long-term expertise for advanced engine programs.
MTU Maintenance is one of the leading providers of commercial engine maintenance services worldwide and carries out over 1,400 shop visits for a portfolio of over 30 engine types annually, making it second in the world for aftermarket services by shop visits. The company’s global workforce of over 7,000 engine experts serve more than 1,400 customers across its entire service portfolio, including asset management and leasing, on-site services and piece part repairs. In addition to Fort Worth, LEAP MRO support is also provided at MTU Maintenance Zhuhai and MTU Maintenance Hannover.
Content retrieved from: https://www.mtu.de/newsroom/press/latest-press-releases/press-release-detail/mtu-maintenance-fort-worth-celebrates-grand-opening-and-inducts-first-leap-1b-engine/.