Moscow, Aeroflot Group has taken a major step in expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capability by completing initial repairs on CFM56 engines at its newly certified in-house facility, AeroTrustTechnics. According to FlightGlobal journalist David Kaminski-Morrow, the work follows the division’s certification in October 2025 under Russia’s FAP-145 airworthiness standards, which allows it to overhaul engines powering Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.
The first engine overhauls, completed in December 2025, involved the refurbishment of three CFM International CFM56 powerplants, including work on high-pressure compressor rotors and stators. Upon completion, the division issued its first certified components and marked a symbolic shift toward greater in-house capability for Aeroflot’s fleet of narrow-body jets.
New In-House CFM56 Repairs Support Fleet Independence
AeroTrustTechnics Opens Certificated MRO Services
Aeroflot Group’s AeroTrustTechnics division, based at Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, achieved its FAP-145 certificate in mid-October 2025, enabling it to perform major CFM56 overhauls previously outsourced or conducted under third-party agreements. This certification aligns with Russian MRO regulatory standards and is broadly equivalent to international FAP-145/Part-145 frameworks.
A CFM56 engine family, including the CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B variants, remains one of the most widely used turbofans on A320ceo and 737NG aircraft globally, powering many of Aeroflot’s narrow-body fleet. With 110 A320-family jets and 93 Boeing 737s in its operational inventory, Aeroflot’s move into in-house repairs could yield substantial cost savings and reduced turnaround times.
“The repair of the first engines at Aeroflot’s own technical base marked an important next step in achieving import independence and developing expertise in aircraft engine maintenance and repair,” the company said in a statement.
Strategic Outlook: MRO Growth & Sanctions Resilience
Reducing Dependence on External Sources
Aeroflot’s expanded MRO capability is part of a broader industry trend, particularly in markets facing supply-chain challenges, where airlines and operators build internal technical capacity to mitigate external pressures. The Russian aviation sector has been under international sanctions for years, pushing carriers and technical services to increase self-sufficiency for critical maintenance tasks.
Industry observers note that enhanced in-house repair capability for engines like the CFM56 could reduce reliance on foreign MRO providers and imported spare parts, an increasingly important consideration amid sanctions and global logistics constraints.
Engine Repair Capacity and Future Plans
Aeroflot’s chief executive previously outlined plans to establish a large engine repair facility at Sheremetyevo intended to be fully operational by 2028, with capacity to handle up to 70 overhauls annually for various engine types, including domestically developed powerplants like the Aviadvigatel PD-14 and PD-8.
The newly certified AeroTrustTechnics facility, while starting with the CFM56, is expected to broaden its scope as it scales up operations over the next few years.
MRO Trends: In-House vs Outsourced Work
The aviation maintenance sector continues to evolve. Globally, MRO providers are expanding capabilities across engine types and geographic regions. For example, independent MROs such as AerFin have been working on complex engine repairs like CFM56 top case and high-pressure compressor jobs to improve turnaround times and reduce costs.
At the same time, some carriers and third-party shops increasingly pursue certifications equivalent to international standards to attract business and ensure continuity despite supply-chain restrictions.
Why Aeroflot’s Move Matters for Russian Aviation
Aeroflot’s milestone represents a strategic pivot in the Russian aviation ecosystem:
- Enhanced technical capability: Ability to perform major engine repairs internally reduces downtime and dependency on overseas MROs.
- Fleet support: Direct benefit for Aeroflot’s significant narrow-body fleet, which relies heavily on CFM56 powerplants.
- Regulatory recognition: FAP-145 certification aligns Aeroflot’s engine shop with recognised airworthiness standards, improving operational legitimacy.
- Sanctions resilience: Increasing self-sufficiency is particularly relevant in the context of ongoing export controls and international restrictions.
Industry Feedback & Expert Takeaways
Aviation MRO analysts say that gaining in-house repair capacity can be transformative for carriers with large narrow-body fleets. It drives down external maintenance costs and accelerates turnaround times when component availability is tight. The CFM56’s long global service history means many operators and shops have developed deep troubleshooting and overhaul expertise, but achieving certification to perform work internally is still a high bar.
Sources
- Aeroflot Group carries out CFM56 engine repairs at newly-certified in-house MRO division — FlightGlobal (David Kaminski-Morrow).
- Aeroflot obtains FAR-145 equivalent certification for CFM56 engine maintenance — RuAviation.
- Aeroflot plots CFM56 repair shop in Moscow — Aviation Week (background on future capacity).
- AerFin expands CFM56 MRO capability — AerFin engine news (industry context).
