Singapore to host world’s first airport testbed for open-fan engines

Singapore will become the world’s first airport to host a testbed for next-generation open-fan aircraft engines, following a memorandum of understanding signed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Airbus, and CFM International. This initiative, part of CFM’s Revolutionary Innovation for Sustainable Engines (RISE) program, aims to conduct real-world evaluations of open-fan engines at either Changi Airport or Seletar Airport over several years. The testbed will assess how these engines, which feature exposed fan blades and promise about 20% better fuel efficiency than current turbofans, integrate with existing airport infrastructure and operational procedures, focusing on safety, regulatory standards, and maintenance adaptations. The open-fan engine design offers aerodynamic advantages and compatibility with sustainable aviation fuels, supporting future propulsion technologies like hydrogen. Airbus plans to potentially equip its next-generation single-aisle aircraft, expected in the late 2030s, with open-fan engines. By testing in active, high-traffic airports