MRO & Manufacturing
AerFin Acquires Third Ex-JAL Boeing 777-300ER in 2025 for Parts Inventory
AerFin secures a third Boeing 777-300ER from Japan Airlines in 2025 to boost global aftermarket inventory of airframe and GE90 engine components amid supply constraints.

This article is based on an official press release from AerFin.
AerFin Acquires Third Ex-JAL Boeing 777-300ER in 2025 to Boost Global Parts Inventory
On December 16, 2025, UK-based aviation aftermarket specialist AerFin announced the acquisition of a Boeing 777-300ER, marking its third purchase of this aircraft type from Japan Airlines (JAL) this year. The transaction underscores a strategic push to secure high-quality Used Serviceable Material (USM) for the global aftermarket, specifically targeting the airframe and GE90 engine components that remain in high demand.
According to the company’s official statement, this latest acquisition completes a significant year of investment in the widebody segment. The aircraft will be disassembled to harvest components, supporting a strained global supply chain where operators are extending the lives of existing fleets due to delays in new aircraft deliveries.
Strategic Expansion of the 777 Portfolio
AerFin’s acquisition strategy in 2025 has heavily favored the Boeing 777-300ER platform, specifically assets previously operated by Japan Airlines. This consistent sourcing allows AerFin to offer a uniform standard of components to its customer base.
The timeline of these acquisitions highlights an aggressive expansion:
- May 2025: AerFin completed the teardown of its first ex-JAL B777-300ER of the year.
- September 2025: The company took delivery of a second unit, designating it for disassembly in the United States to support Americas and Asia-Pacific markets.
- December 2025: The third acquisition was finalized, securing a steady pipeline of GE90-115B engine material and airframe parts heading into 2026.
Auvinash Narayen, Chief Investment Officer at AerFin, emphasized the company’s commitment to this specific asset class in the press release:
“Purchasing another 777-300ER to our portfolio reflects our continued confidence in the asset and the operators who rely on it. Our global footprint and material stock provide the resilience our customers need to plan ahead with certainty.”
, Auvinash Narayen, CIO, AerFin
Market Context: The Demand for USM
The decision to acquire and tear down these aircraft is driven by specific anomalies in the current aviation market. Industry analysis indicates that delays in the certification and delivery of the Boeing 777X have forced major international carriers to extend the operational service lives of their existing 777-300ER fleets.
Supply Chain Constraints
As these older aircraft fly longer than originally planned, they require heavier maintenance and more frequent component replacements. Simultaneously, the production of new spare parts has faced global bottlenecks. Companies like AerFin bridge this gap by harvesting “Used Serviceable Material” (USM), certified parts removed from retired aircraft, which offers a faster and often more cost-effective solution than waiting for new OEM components.
Rising Asset Values
Securing these assets has become increasingly competitive. According to market intelligence from IBA and other industry observers referenced in sector reports, the market value for B777-300ERs and their engines has risen significantly throughout 2025. Some data suggests a jump of nearly 78% in half-life market values compared to previous years. AerFin’s ability to close three such deals in a single year suggests strong capital backing and effective relationship management with top-tier operators like JAL.
AirPro News Analysis
Why Japan Airlines?
From an editorial perspective, we note that AerFin’s specific focus on ex-Japan Airlines inventory is likely a calculated quality control measure. JAL is renowned in the industry for rigorous maintenance standards. Components harvested from their retired fleets typically command a premium in the aftermarket because they are less likely to suffer from unusual wear or deferred maintenance issues compared to assets from less regulated operators.
The “Hat-Trick” Strategy
By securing three identical airframes from the same operator, AerFin achieves economies of scale in its teardown operations. It also allows them to offer “matched” sets of components to airlines, which simplifies integration for maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) providers. This move positions AerFin not just as a parts trader, but as a critical infrastructure partner for airlines struggling to keep their long-haul fleets airborne amid OEMs delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is USM in aviation?
USM stands for Used Serviceable Material. It refers to aircraft parts that have been removed from a retired airframe or engine, inspected, repaired if necessary, and recertified for use on an active aircraft.
Why is the GE90 engine significant?
The Boeing 777-300ER is powered exclusively by the GE90-115B engine. It is one of the most powerful and complex commercial jet engines in service. As the 777 fleet ages, demand for GE90 spare parts (blades, disks, and accessories) has surged, making them highly valuable assets for teardown companies.
Where will the aircraft be disassembled?
While the specific location for the December acquisition was not detailed in the immediate release, previous units acquired by AerFin in 2025 were disassembled in the United States (specifically New Mexico) to facilitate distribution across the Americas and Asia-Pacific regions.
Sources
Photo Credit: AerFin
MRO & Manufacturing
Bombardier Expands Singapore MRO Facility at Seletar Park
Bombardier nearly doubles its Asia-Pacific MRO footprint with a new 250,000-sq-ft Singapore facility backed by $78M USD.

Bombardier will nearly double its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) footprint in the Asia-Pacific region by adding a 250,000-square-foot facility at Singapore’s Seletar Aerospace Park. The expansion aims to support a growing regional fleet and a record corporate order backlog.
In a press release issued on June 9, 2026, the Canadian aircraft manufacturer detailed plans for the new site. The project is supported by a $100 million SGD (approximately $78 million USD) investment from a local developer. The expansion is expected to create 200 highly skilled aerospace jobs and enhance the company’s regional capabilities in aircraft recompletion, component repair, and round-the-clock support.
Expanding Asia-Pacific maintenance capabilities
Construction on the new facility is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026. Operations are anticipated to commence in the second half of 2028.
The current Singapore Service Centre opened in 2014. It employs 300 local staff, including approximately 250 licensed engineers and technicians. This existing workforce supports roughly 2,000 aircraft annually.
Paul Sislian, Bombardier Executive Vice President of Aircraft Sales and Aftermarket Services, noted the facility’s role in the region.
“Our Singapore Service Centre has long been a cornerstone of service and support excellence in Asia-Pacific, supporting approximately 2,000 aircraft annually as regional demand continues to grow,” Sislian stated.
Strategic partnerships and digitalization
The expansion involves collaboration with several Singaporean entities, including JTC and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).
Cindy Koh, Executive Vice President of the EDB, indicated that the investment will add new MRO and recompletion capabilities for next-generation business aircraft while entrenching Singapore’s status as a premier aerospace hub.
Christine Wong, Assistant CEO of JTC, added that the development reinforces the position of Seletar Aerospace Park as a leading business aviation center.
Bombardier also announced it has joined the A*STAR Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (A*STAR ARTC) industry consortium as an Anchor Member. This partnership is designed to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence, automation, and digitalization into the manufacturer’s MRO operations.
Market drivers and fleet growth
The infrastructure investment aligns with broader market growth for the manufacturer. According to reporting by The Edge Singapore, Bombardier reported a record order backlog exceeding $20 billion USD in April 2026.
The publication noted that up to 10 percent of this order book originates from the Asia-Pacific region. This backlog is driven by demand from high-net-worth individuals and shared-ownership operators.
The introduction of the flagship Bombardier Global 8000 has also prompted the company to strengthen its global support network.
Addressing the expansion, Sislian told The Edge Singapore that the company sees continued growth and that the facility increase was the right solution to handle rising aircraft utilization.
AirPro News analysis
We view Bombardier’s decision to double its Singapore footprint as a necessary step to capture high-margin aftermarket revenue in a region where business aviation utilization is climbing. By anchoring its Asia-Pacific MRO operations in Seletar Aerospace Park, the manufacturer leverages Singapore’s established supply chain and skilled labor pool. The integration with A*STAR ARTC also suggests a strategic pivot toward predictive maintenance and automated component repair, which will be critical for servicing the ultra-long-range Global 8000 fleet efficiently.
Sources: Bombardier
Photo Credit: Bombardier
MRO & Manufacturing
West Star Aviation Posts 84% AOG Rate After DCJet Acquisition
West Star Aviation achieved a record 84% AOG acceptance rate in May 2026 after acquiring DCJet and expanding its technician network.

MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) provider West Star Aviation achieved a record 84% acceptance rate for Aircraft on Ground (AOG) requests in May 2026, following a strategic expansion of its technician workforce.
In a press release issued on June 5, 2026, the company attributed the capacity increase to its March 3, 2026, acquisition of DCJet. The integration expanded West Star Aviation’s dedicated AOG network to over 250 technicians, up from 200, positioning the firm to handle higher volumes of unscheduled maintenance events ahead of the summer travel season.
DCJet acquisition drives network expansion
The March acquisition of DCJet added five new locations to West Star Aviation’s nationwide footprint: Dulles International Airport (IAD), Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW), Orlando International Airport (MCO), Boeing Field (BFI), and Luis Muñoz MarÃn International Airport (SJU).
The expanded workforce is supported by a 24/7/365 AOG control center staffed by 12 controllers. This centralized coordination allows the MRO provider to dispatch technicians, tooling, and ground support equipment across its network to minimize operator downtime.
Gary Lee, Vice President of AOG at West Star Aviation, stated that the added resources are essential for meeting customer needs during critical periods of high demand.
“With access to tooling and GSE across our network, we’re poised to respond quickly, safely, and effectively wherever our customers need us,” Lee said in the release.
Infrastructure growth and satellite facilities
The AOG capacity improvements coincide with broader infrastructure investments by the company, which employs over 3,000 professionals and has 79 years of industry experience.
On June 2, 2026, West Star Aviation announced the opening of its fifth satellite location at Addison Airport in Texas. The new 40,000-square-foot hangar provides scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, AOG support, and avionics upgrades specifically targeting the Dallas metroplex.
Stephen Maiden, CEO of West Star Aviation, noted that the DCJet integration strengthens the company’s ability to support business aviation operators with faster response times, greater coordination, and increased technical depth in the field.
AirPro News analysis
The business aviation sector relies heavily on rapid AOG response to maintain dispatch reliability, particularly during peak travel months. By acquiring an established AOG provider like DCJet rather than attempting to scale organically, West Star Aviation has immediately secured both trained personnel and strategic airport access. The reported 84% acceptance rate in May 2026 indicates that the integration is already yielding operational dividends. We expect MRO consolidation to continue as larger providers seek to capture regional market share and alleviate industry-wide technician shortages through strategic acquisitions.
Sources: West Star Aviation
Photo Credit: West Star Aviation
MRO & Manufacturing
PPG Aerospace Briefing Highlights Capacity and Innovation
PPG outlined its aerospace growth strategy at a June 2026 analyst briefing, featuring 3D printed sealants and electrocoat primers.

Global coatings and specialty materials manufacturer PPG detailed its strategic focus on capacity expansion and technological innovation during an aerospace business briefing for industry analysts on June 9, 2026.
In a press release issued from its Pittsburgh headquarters, the company outlined how its nearly 100-year legacy in transparencies, coatings, and sealants is driving long-term organic sales growth to meet multi-year industry demand. PPG, which reported $15.9 billion in net sales for 2025, currently markets its products in more than 50 countries.
Showcasing aerospace product innovations
The analyst session highlighted specific technological advancements designed to deliver customer productivity across the commercial aviation, military, and general aviation sectors. Among the featured products were PPG PRC Seal Caps, PPG ARE 3D Printed Sealants, and the PPG AEROCRON Electrocoat Primer.
These offerings represent the company’s ongoing investment in aerospace manufacturing efficiency and material performance. Sam Millikin, Senior Vice President of Global Aerospace at PPG, emphasized the division’s role in the broader corporate portfolio.
“Our Aerospace deep dive was a tremendous opportunity to highlight the business that is powering PPG’s organic growth,” Millikin stated. “We were thrilled to share with our analyst community the strategy, technology offerings, and customer solutions that make PPG’s Aerospace business unique.”
Meeting multi-year industry demand
The aerospace sector is currently experiencing sustained demand for both Commercial-Aircraft and military platforms. PPG’s presentation to the analyst community signals a strategic alignment to capture this growth through specialized product lines and expanded production capacity.
AirPro News analysis
We view PPG’s emphasis on 3D printed sealants and electrocoat primers as a direct response to original equipment manufacturer (OEMs) demands for faster assembly times and reduced aircraft weight. As commercial aircraft production rates climb to meet global backlog requirements, suppliers that can offer measurable productivity gains on the factory floor are positioned to secure long-term contracts. The focus on organic growth suggests PPG intends to leverage its existing technological base rather than relying heavily on acquisitions to expand its aerospace market share.
Sources: PPG (via Business Wire)
Photo Credit: PPG
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