by Tim Hepher

CASABLANCA, Morocco (Reuters) – Global supply chains in the aerospace sector are still struggling to recover from a series of external shocks, said Safran’s chief executive, who warned of unrealistic production targets while that aviation must meet the growing demand for travel.

With General Electric, Safran co-produces LEAP engines for all Boeing and more than half of Airbus narrow-body aircraft through their company CFM International.

“The supply chain is still struggling to recover from the shock of the pandemic, as well as other shocks: Ukraine, energy, inflation and labor,” said Director General Olivier Andriès during a visit in Morocco to sign a government pact aimed at boosting supply chains.

Citing supply issues, CFM recently lowered its growth forecast for LEAP deliveries in 2023, from around 50% to 40-45%, or deliveries in the range of 1,600 to 1,650 units.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher, by Nathan Vifflin, editing by Kate Entringer)

Copyright © 2023 Thomson Reuters