Singapore will establish an airport-based testbed to support the development and assessment of next-generation aircraft propulsion technologies, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), CFM International and Airbus.
The agreement was signed on 2 February 2026 at the 3rd Changi Aviation Summit. Under the MOU, Singapore will serve as a testing environment for CFM’s Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) programme, with a focus on the Open Fan engine architecture.
The collaboration aims to study how Open Fan and related technologies could be integrated into existing airport operations and to develop a readiness framework that may inform future deployment by aircraft manufacturers, airports and airlines.
The RISE programme is a technology demonstration initiative intended to advance propulsion concepts for future commercial aircraft. A key feature of the programme is the Open Fan architecture, which removes the traditional engine casing to allow a larger fan diameter and reduced aerodynamic drag.
CFM has indicated that the programme targets more than 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared with current in-service commercial engines. In addition to efficiency gains, the technology is being developed with consideration for emissions reduction, noise performance and compatibility with potential hybrid-electric systems.
Mr Gaël Méheust, President & Chief Executive Officer of CFM International, said:This first-of-its-kind agreement is a huge boon for the CFM RISE development program. These technologies are designed to deliver unprecedented improvements in fuel efficiency (and emissions) in a highly robust future product that can support demanding operations. Now, having the ability to perform a real-world demonstration ‒ from ground handling to maintenance actions, to airport operations ‒ will give airlines and, hopefully, the flying public, confidence in the safety, durability, and efficiency of Open Fan.
As part of the agreement, CAAS, CFM International and Airbus will work together to develop a comprehensive readiness framework addressing aircraft design considerations, airport infrastructure requirements, operational procedures, safety standards and regulatory processes associated with Open Fan engines. The partners will also leverage Singapore’s aviation ecosystem to exchange technical and operational expertise in areas such as airport design, safety management and regulatory oversight.
The MOU includes plans to conduct operational trials of Open Fan engine demonstrators at Singapore Changi Airport or Seletar Airport. These trials are intended to test and validate the readiness framework and to assess the operational feasibility of the technology in a live airport environment, covering aspects such as ground handling, maintenance and airport operations.
Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS, said:CFM International’s and Airbus’s partnership with CAAS to establish in Singapore the world’s first airport testbed for next generation propulsion technologies is testament to Singapore’s offering as an integrated air hub with strong regulatory expertise where companies can testbed technologies and develop real-world protocols for deployment at scale globally.
The initiative forms part of broader industry efforts to prepare airports and regulatory frameworks for future aircraft technologies as manufacturers explore new propulsion concepts for next-generation narrow-body aircraft.
Mr Remi Maillard, Executive Vice-President Engineering for the Commercial Aircraft business and Head of Technology Airbus, said:We are excited to be partnering with CAAS and CFM to take new propulsion system technologies to the next level of maturity by testing them against future operational requirements. And what better place to do it than in Singapore where we can rely on a state-of-the-art aerospace ecosystem. Airbus is committed to pioneering sustainable aerospace, and this partnership is a testament to that.
