Singapore is poised to become the first airport open fan engine testbed in the world, as reported by The Business Times journalist Derryn Wong on Feb. 2, 2026. Under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), CFM International, and Airbus, Singapore’s airports will host real-world trials of next-generation open-fan aircraft engines being developed under CFM’s RISE program.
The initiative aims to assess how these advanced propulsion systems interact with existing airport operations and infrastructure. It also intends to help establish international guidelines covering safety, procedures, and regulatory standards for future engine types.
What Is the Singapore Airport Open Fan Engine Testbed?
The open-fan engine concept represents a major leap in propulsion technology. Traditional turbofan engines have a ducted fan; open-fan designs expose the fan blades directly to airflow, increasing propulsive efficiency and delivering significant fuel savings.
CFM’s RISE (Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines) program, a joint initiative between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, focuses on these next-generation technologies.
- Open-fan architecture: Reduces weight and improves airflow, potentially lowering fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
- Alternative fuel integration: Designed to run on sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and potentially hydrogen blends.
- Hybrid-electric compatibility: Prepares for future electrified systems in propulsion.
Key Details of the Initiative
Partnership and Location
- Lead partners: CAAS, CFM International, Airbus.
- Test locations: Changi Airport and Seletar Airport in Singapore.
- Industry event: The announcement was made at the Changi Aviation Summit on the eve of Singapore Airshow 2026.
Goals of the Singapore Airport Open Fan Engine Testbed
The core objectives include:
- Operational evaluation: Understanding how open-fan engines behave in live airport environments, including ground operations and safety procedures.
- Infrastructure study: Identifying necessary modifications for runways, taxiways, and maintenance facilities to accommodate new propulsion systems.
- Regulatory guidance: Helping global aviation authorities craft standards for future engine certifications.
Industry Context: Why It Matters
Advancing Sustainable Aviation
Open-fan engines form part of the aerospace industry’s broader strategy to reduce carbon emissions — a priority for ICAO and IATA frameworks aiming for net-zero aviation by 2050.
- Fuel efficiency: Open-fan architecture promises up to 20% better fuel burn than traditional turbofans.
- SAF compatibility: Designed for improved performance with sustainable aviation fuels.
Potential Challenges Ahead
While testbed efforts mark a pioneering step, open-fan engines face known technical obstacles:
- Noise considerations: Historically, open-fan concepts have grappled with higher acoustic signatures.
- Certification hurdles: New propulsion architectures require extensive validation before commercial service entry.
Industry observers view Singapore’s initiative as critical to overcoming real-world operational and regulatory barriers.
What’s Next for Aviation Innovation
The Singapore airport open fan engine testbed could redefine how propulsion systems are validated outside laboratory settings. By integrating operational tests with regulatory development:
- It accelerates global adoption of sustainable propulsion solutions.
- It supports ICAO/IATA policy goals for cleaner aviation operations.
- It strengthens Singapore’s position as a global aviation innovation hub.
Ongoing updates from industry conferences and aviation authorities will be essential for tracking progress.
Sources
- The Business Times (Singapore): Singapore to be first airport test bed for CFM’s next-generation open-fan aircraft engines
- CFM International: RISE – Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engine
- Aviation Week & Space Technology: Singapore airport testbed for CFM RISE open-fan engines
- Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS): Aviation innovation, sustainability, airport operations
- Simple Flying: Open-fan engine design, noise, certification hurdles
