Reuters reports that the U.S. government has granted a license to engine maker General Electric to export CFM LEAP-1C engines to China for use in COMAC’s C919 narrowbody airliner.
GE is an equal partner with France’s Safran in the CFM International joint venture. Earlier this year, media reports indicated that the Trump administration had considered denying an export license to export the LEAP-1C engines to China, but President Donald Trump later intervened to promote the export of American aerospace products.
Trump tweeted in February that he wanted “to make it EASY to do business with the United States, not difficult. Everyone in my Administration is being so instructed, with no excuses…”
A GE spokesperson confirmed to Reuters on April 7 that the manufacturer had received a license to export engines to the C919 program. Reuters was unable to confirm the decision with the U.S. government.
A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Douglas Royce is currently co-editor of four of Forecast International's Market Intelligence Services: Civil Aircraft Forecast, Military Aircraft Forecast, Rotorcraft Forecast, and Aviation Gas Turbine Forecast. As such, he plays a key role in many important projects that involve market sizing and forecasting for various segments of the world aerospace industry, as well as demand for related systems.
