Demand for CFM56 shop visits is expected to remain robust until 2028, according to Olivier Andriès, CEO of Safran. The company anticipates annual shop visits will hover around 2,300 to 2,400 during this period, representing a significant increase over previous forecasts. However, the timing of any future decline remains uncertain, heavily dependent on the pace at which Airbus and Boeing reach their production peaks for the A320 and 737 families, as well as aircraft retirements.
Safran experienced a 30% increase in engine services revenue in 2025, driven notably by Leap engine flight-hour agreements. Additionally, work on CFM56 engines contributed to an 18% rise in spare parts sales. Looking ahead, the company projects a 20% increase in services revenue for the current year, along with a mid-teens growth in spare parts sales, supported by strong passenger demand and delayed aircraft retirements.
Fewer retirements have been observed since a spike in 2020, with an annual average of 639 aircraft retirements from 2021 to 2025, representing about 2.2% of the fleet—lower than the historical average of 2.5 to 3 percent. The continuation of low retirements could persist for another one or two years, influenced by broad fleet utilization and production rates. Ultimately, the trend will depend on how passenger demand evolves and whether aircraft manufacturers meet their delivery targets.
"How quickly this dynamic will change remains to be seen," Andriès noted, highlighting ongoing uncertainties in the market outlook.
