MRO & Manufacturing
DTX Aerospace and Liebherr-Aerospace License Agreement for Embraer ERJ MRO
DTX Aerospace authorized by Liebherr-Aerospace to maintain Embraer ERJ Nose Landing Gear in Brazil, enhancing regional MRO capabilities.
This article is based on an official press release from DTX Aerospace and Liebherr-Aerospace.
On April 22, 2026, DTX Aerospace and Liebherr-Aerospace officially announced a new License Service Agreement during the MRO Americas 2026 conference in Orange County, Florida. According to the joint press release, the partnership authorizes DTX Aerospace to perform maintenance services on Embraer Regional Jet (ERJ) Family Nose Landing Gear components.
Under the terms of the agreement, maintenance activities will be conducted at DTX Aerospace’s Landing Gear facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which operates as an ANAC-approved Part 145 repair station. The collaboration ensures that DTX will have direct access to OEM technical documentation, genuine spare parts, and dedicated engineering support provided by Liebherr-Aerospace.
We note that this strategic move aims to localize OEM-backed maintenance for South American operators, effectively reducing turnaround times and mitigating supply chain bottlenecks for Embraer aircraft within their home region.
Strengthening the South American MRO Network
The aviation aftermarket is increasingly prioritizing supply chain redundancy and predictable maintenance schedules. By granting DTX Aerospace access to genuine OEM parts and engineering support, Liebherr-Aerospace is ensuring that local repairs meet strict safety and regulatory standards without requiring operators to wait for overseas shipments.
Will Dew, Commercial Managing Director at Liebherr Aerospace Saline, Inc., who brings over 30 years of aerospace experience to his role, highlighted the importance of regional accessibility in the official announcement.
“We are pleased to welcome DTX Aerospace as a Liebherr’s licensed repair station in South America. This agreement strengthens our service network and ensures that Operators in the region have access to high-quality maintenance, performed in accordance with OEM standards,” Dew stated in the press release.
For DTX Aerospace, the agreement represents a significant enhancement of its regional service offerings. Hussein Lookmanjee, Chairman of DTX Aerospace, emphasized the operational benefits of the new OEM relationship.
“This agreement represents an important milestone for DTX. Access to OEM technical support and genuine parts enables our Brazil operation to further strengthen its maintenance capabilities and expand the services we provide to our customers,” Lookmanjee added.
Corporate Momentum and Strategic Expansion
DTX Aerospace’s Global Footprint
Background research indicates that DTX Aerospace is currently in a phase of aggressive global growth. The company emerged as the new identity for the international operations of Drayton Aerospace following a strategic split and divestment in July 2025, which separated its China-based entities from its international operations. In addition to the Rio de Janeiro landing gear facility, DTX operates a specialized PT6A engine maintenance center in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Furthermore, in September 2025, the company announced plans to construct a 150,000-square-foot landing gear overhaul facility in India to service both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.
Liebherr-Aerospace’s Capacity Growth
Liebherr-Aerospace, the official OEM for Embraer’s E-Jet and ERJ family landing gear systems, has also been expanding its footprint to meet surging MRO demand. While its Lindenberg, Germany facility serves as the center of competence for flight control and landing gear systems, its Americas operations are anchored in Saline, Michigan. In October 2025, Liebherr opened a 33,000-square-foot expansion at the Saline campus to boost landing gear and heat-transfer processing capacity. The company has actively pursued regional partnerships, recently expanding a landing gear overhaul partnership with Röder Präzision in Germany in February 2026 and signing an overhaul contract with US-based Horizon Air in April 2026.
AirPro News analysis
We view this licensing agreement as a highly strategic alignment for both entities, capitalizing on a distinct “home turf advantage.” Because Embraer is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate, establishing a licensed repair station in Rio de Janeiro brings critical maintenance capabilities directly to the backyard of Embraer’s largest South American operators. This localized approach eliminates the need to ship heavy landing gear components across continents, which we assess will significantly reduce carbon footprints, shipping costs, and aircraft downtime. Furthermore, this partnership perfectly mirrors the broader aviation industry’s current push toward regionalized MRO networks to combat global supply chain fragility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific components are covered under this new agreement?
The License Service Agreement specifically covers maintenance services for Embraer Regional Jet (ERJ) Family Nose Landing Gear components.
Where will the maintenance work be carried out?
All related maintenance activities will be performed at DTX Aerospace’s ANAC-approved Part 145 repair station located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
What does Liebherr-Aerospace provide in this partnership?
As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Liebherr-Aerospace will provide DTX Aerospace with official technical documentation, genuine spare parts, and engineering support.
Sources
Photo Credit: DTX Aerospace