Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) and Rolls-Royce have launched a specialized modular replacement service for the Trent 1000 engine at HAECO’s London Heathrow Airport (LHR) facility.

Announced in a press release on September 21, 2026, the new capability targets Module 32 (Intermediate Pressure Compressor) and Module 41 (High Pressure Compressor) replacements for the powerplant, which is a primary option for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The addition makes the London site one of only four locations worldwide authorized to perform these major modular replacements.

Addressing maintenance choke points

The Aviation industry is currently navigating significant pressure regarding engine maintenance capacity and aircraft availability. To mitigate these constraints, HAECO is utilizing a horizontal strip method designed to reduce turnaround times and extend engine time on wing.

Rolls-Royce Senior Vice President for the Trent 1000, Rachel Walker, noted that while the manufacturer is producing new engines, expediting re-engineered components to existing customers remains a priority. She stated that the partnership with HAECO is helping reduce MRO choke points.

George Edmunds, Group Director of Components and Engine Services at HAECO, described the London capability as a major milestone in the Partnerships with Rolls-Royce. He emphasized the focus on delivering a certified solution that allows airlines to restore fleet health and return aircraft to service.

Global engine support expansion

The London Heathrow authorization follows a broader strategy by HAECO to scale its global engine support network. On July 22, 2026, the maintenance provider announced the opening of Engine Workshop No. 5 at its Hong Kong base, expanding capacity for advanced engine services including Trent XWB module swaps and LEAP engine support.

The financial footprint of the Trent 1000 maintenance market is substantial. According to reporting by Aviation Week, the engine is projected to generate $43.1 billion in MRO spending between 2026 and 2035.

AirPro News analysis

We view the authorization of a fourth global site for Trent 1000 modular replacements as a necessary pressure release valve for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. With supply chain constraints continuing to limit the availability of spare engines and parts, localized modular replacement capabilities at major transit hubs like London Heathrow allow operators to avoid shipping entire powerplants across the globe for specific compressor module swaps. The projected $43.1 billion in MRO spending over the next decade underscores why maintenance providers are aggressively expanding their engine service footprints.

Sources: HAECO

China Airlines (CI) has selected Liebherr-Aerospace to conduct the overhaul campaign for the nose landing gear on its fleet of 18 Airbus A350 aircraft. The agreement, announced in a press release on September 22, 2026, establishes the Taiwan-based carrier as the Asian launch customer for the manufacturer’s A350 nose landing gear overhaul program.

The maintenance campaign is scheduled to run from 2026 through 2031. Under the terms of the contract, Liebherr-Aerospace will provide asset exchange services through its facility in Singapore, Liebherr-Singapore Pte Ltd, to support the airline’s maintenance scheduling and ensure continuous fleet availability.

OEM support and asset exchange strategy

The nose landing gear system for the Airbus A350 was originally developed, manufactured, and certified by Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, acting as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). By contracting directly with the OEM, China Airlines secures access to factory-standard overhaul processes and a dedicated pool of exchange assets.

The asset exchange model allows the airline to swap out landing gear components requiring heavy maintenance with freshly overhauled units, minimizing aircraft downtime during scheduled heavy checks.

“By providing a comprehensive landing gear exchange solution, we are helping China Airlines to maximize fleet availability while maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability,” stated Joël Cadaux, General Manager Aerospace at Liebherr-Singapore Pte Ltd.

Cadaux also noted that the agreement reflects a shared commitment to operational excellence and establishes a long-term partnership between the two aviation entities.

Broader maintenance investments at China Airlines

The Liebherr-Aerospace contract is part of a broader strategy by China Airlines to secure long-term maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support for its widebody fleet. Also on September 22, 2026, the carrier finalized a separate agreement with REVIMA to support the auxiliary power unit (APU) fleet on its Boeing 787 aircraft.

According to reporting by AviTrader, the REVIMA contract covers the APS5000 APU under a Power by the Hour (PBTH) arrangement. This agreement includes line-replaceable unit (LRU) repairs and predictive maintenance services, further indicating the airline’s focus on outsourced, predictable maintenance cost models for its next-generation aircraft.

AirPro News analysis

We view China Airlines’ concurrent MRO agreements as a clear indicator of the carrier’s strategy to insulate its widebody operations from supply chain bottlenecks. By locking in long-term asset exchange and PBTH contracts for critical components like landing gear and APUs, the airline is prioritizing dispatch reliability. The selection of Liebherr-Aerospace as the OEM for the A350 nose gear overhaul also highlights a growing industry preference for direct-to-manufacturer maintenance solutions, which often provide more robust guarantees on parts availability compared to third-party MRO providers.

Sources: Liebherr

On September 22, 2026, Safran Landing Systems inaugurated a US$22 million extension to its Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) center in Singapore, introducing a new assembly line for landing gear overhauls to support growing Asia-Pacific and Middle East fleets.

Announced in a company press release, the 7,500-square-meter expansion reinforces Singapore’s position as a strategic aerospace hub. The facility upgrades will increase capacity and flexibility for servicing landing gear across major commercial aircraft platforms, including the Airbus A320 family, Airbus A330, Airbus A350, Airbus A380, Boeing 737, Boeing 787, and ATR regional aircraft.

Facility upgrades and sustainability

The physical expansion incorporates specific environmental initiatives alongside its industrial upgrades. The new building features 2,800 square meters of solar panels, comprising 800 individual panels, designed to improve the site’s overall energy efficiency.

The operational growth will also impact the local workforce. The Singapore site currently employs 360 personnel, and Safran projects the expansion will create approximately 100 new jobs by 2030.

“This investment is a strong signal of Safran Landing Systems’ trust in the region’s potential and deepens our determination to support our airline customers, now and in the future, with ever higher standards of excellence and sustainability,” stated François Bastin, CEO of Safran Landing Systems.

Strategic partnerships and regional growth

Safran Landing Systems originally established its Singapore presence in 1979. In 2000, the site became a strategic partner of SIA Engineering Company, cementing its role in the regional maintenance ecosystem.

The inauguration event was attended by Stephen Marchisio, Ambassador of France to Singapore, and Cindy Koh, Executive Vice President of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), alongside Safran executives including Bastin and Olivier Thomas, MRO Executive Vice President for Safran Landing Systems.

“The latest expansion by Safran Landing Systems brings advanced repair technologies to Singapore and adds to our comprehensive suite of MRO offerings,” Koh said. “We value Safran’s confidence in Singapore and look forward to working with them to develop the next generation aerospace technologies here, create good jobs and rewarding career pathways for Singaporeans.”

AirPro News analysis

We view Safran’s US$22 million investment in Singapore as a calculated response to the rapid post-pandemic recovery of widebody and narrowbody flight hours in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions. By expanding local MRO capabilities for high-demand platforms like the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, Safran reduces turnaround times and logistics costs for regional operators. This move aligns with the company’s broader global footprint expansion, following the establishment of a new landing gear facility in Morocco in February 2026 and a recent 10-year support agreement with Lufthansa Technik.

Sources: Safran Group