Safran Landing Systems is expanding its global MRO network across three continents to support Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and Airbus A330 landing gear, aiming to alleviate severe industry-wide capacity bottlenecks.

In a press release issued June 10, 2026, the company detailed the scale-up of its facilities in Molsheim, France; Singapore; and Querétaro, Mexico. The expansion arrives as the aviation maintenance sector faces a projected capacity crisis, with industry reports indicating landing gear overhaul lead times have stretched to between six and 12 months.

Scaling operations across three continents

The push to increase capacity follows the 2025 launch of simultaneous overhaul campaigns for the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 programs. To support this volume, Safran completed a 6,000-square-meter (64,583-square-foot) expansion at its Querétaro site last year. The Mexican facility now employs approximately 375 personnel, a significant increase from the 80 employees present when the site opened in 2010.

For the Boeing 787 program, Safran confirmed that all three strategic MRO sites are now fully operational. The facilities have already processed and delivered their first overhauled landing gear sets to operators, including Avianca and Hainan Airlines.

Airbus A350 and A330 program milestones

The Airbus A350 fleet is currently approaching its first major heavy maintenance cycles, dictated by a 12-year Time Between Overhaul (TBO) limit for its landing gear. Safran reported that its Molsheim facility recently finalized its first sampling campaign for the aircraft type. This process involves the complete disassembly and thorough inspection of a landing gear set prior to its 12-year TBO limit to validate the maximum service life of the components.

Beyond the newest generation of widebody aircraft, Safran is also expanding support for the established Airbus A330 family. The company expects its Singapore, Molsheim, and Querétaro sites to be fully operational for the A330 program, including the A330 Enhanced and A330neo variants, by 2027.

AirPro News analysis

We view Safran’s aggressive capacity expansion as a necessary response to a looming bottleneck in the global supply chain. The aviation maintenance industry is currently navigating a landing gear overhaul capacity crisis projected to last through 2028. Thousands of next-generation widebody aircraft delivered over the past decade are now entering phases of their operational lifecycle that require extensive landing gear inspections and overhauls.

The current six to 12-month lead times are driven by a combination of high demand and a shortage of specialized tooling, certified technicians, and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) approved processes. By localizing support across three continents, Safran is positioning itself to capture this surge in widebody heavy maintenance demand while helping operators avoid extended aircraft-on-ground (AOG) scenarios.

Sources: Safran Group

ExecuJet MRO Services Belgium announced the completion of an extensive project on a Dassault Falcon 7X on June 11, 2026. The milestone highlights the growing heavy maintenance and modification capabilities at the Dassault Aviation subsidiary’s European facility.

While the specific scope of the newly completed Falcon 7X project was not detailed in the company’s initial release, the completion follows a steady expansion of the facility’s service portfolio for the Dassault Falcon fleet. The Kortrijk-Wevelgem International Airport (KJK) heavy maintenance center has steadily increased its throughput since completing its first C-check on a Falcon 7X in May 2025.

Expanding Falcon maintenance capabilities

The recent project completion builds upon significant regulatory approvals secured earlier in the year. In January 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted the Belgium-based provider approval to perform line maintenance, Aircraft on Ground (AOG) support, and base maintenance on US-registered business aircraft.

This regulatory approval authorized the facility to conduct base maintenance up to C-checks on several aircraft types. The approved list includes the Falcon 7X, Falcon 8X, Falcon 900EX EASy/DX/LX, and Falcon 2000EX EASy/DX. The certification allows the European facility to service N-registered aircraft operating internationally.

Connectivity and retrofit growth

Beyond heavy maintenance, ExecuJet MRO Services Belgium has expanded its avionics and cabin connectivity retrofit operations. In December 2025, the facility completed the first Starlink connectivity system installation on a Dassault Falcon 8X.

The installation was performed under a supplemental type certificate developed by Dassault Falcon Jet. SpaceX appointed the company as an authorized Starlink dealer, granting the facility authorization to conduct identical retrofits on the Falcon 7X platform.

AirPro News analysis

We view the steady cadence of Falcon 7X and 8X milestones at the Belgium facility as a direct result of Dassault Aviation’s strategy to internalize and expand its European aftermarket support. By securing FAA Part 145 approval earlier in 2026, ExecuJet MRO Services Belgium positioned itself to capture maintenance events from North American operators flying into Europe. The ability to combine heavy C-checks with high-demand upgrades like Starlink connectivity makes the Kortrijk-Wevelgem site a highly competitive option for transatlantic Falcon operators requiring scheduled downtime.

Sources: ExecuJet MRO Services

Deutsche Aircraft and Hexcel Corporation formalized a long-term industrial partnerships and supply agreement on June 12, 2026, to provide advanced composite materials for the D328eco regional turboprop program.

Announced during the ILA Berlin Air Show at the BDLI Pavilion, the agreement secures the supply chain for critical lightweight composite materials required for the aircraft’s primary and secondary structures. According to a joint press release, the partnership directly supports the 40-seat aircraft’s weight reduction, fuel efficiency, and sustainability targets as the manufacturers prepares for the type’s planned first flight in 2026.

Securing the composite supply chain

The agreement with Hexcel represents a major procurement milestone for the modernized evolution of the Dornier 328 turboprop. By locking in a dedicated supplier for advanced composite solutions, Deutsche Aircraft aims to stabilize its manufacturing pipeline ahead of series production.

Patricia Ferrari, Vice President Supply Chain at Deutsche Aircraft, stated that the program is built on strong industrial partnerships. She noted that working with Hexcel allows the manufacturer to combine advanced materials expertise with industrial reliability to deliver a highly efficient aircraft for regional operators.

“This partnership with Deutsche Aircraft reflects Hexcel’s long-standing commitment to supporting innovative, sustainable aerospace programs in Europe,” said Lilian Braylé, President Aerospace Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa & Industrial at Hexcel. “By combining advanced materials technology with strong industrial collaboration, we are contributing to the development of next-generation regional aircraft that address efficiency, sustainability, and long-term operational needs.”

The Hexcel agreement follows other recent supply chain finalizations for the D328eco. In March 2026, Deutsche Aircraft selected COMTRONIC GmbH to supply the complete overhead panel for the aircraft’s cockpit.

Production ramp-up and program timeline

Deutsche Aircraft is currently transitioning the D328eco from the design phase into physical testing and production. The company rolled out its first test aircraft, designated TAC 1, on May 28, 2025, at its Oberpfaffenhofen headquarters. The program is currently targeting its first-flight before the end of 2026.

Following the flight test campaign, the manufacturer plans to achieve full production readiness at its Leipzig/Halle final assembly line by early 2027. The facility is designed to produce a maximum of 48 aircraft per year and is expected to create between 250 and 350 highly skilled jobs in the region. Entry into service for the D328eco is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2027.

“Long-term trust-based industrial relationships are essential for the success of complex aerospace programmes,” said Nico Neumann, Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Aircraft. “This partnership with Hexcel provides a strong foundation for certification, ramp-up, and series production of the D328eco in Germany and across Europe.”

AirPro News analysis

Securing a Tier 1 composite supplier like Hexcel is a critical de-risking step for Deutsche Aircraft as it moves closer to the D328eco’s first flight. Aerospace supply-chains remain constrained globally, and locking in long-term agreements for primary structure materials shields the program from potential bottlenecks during the critical transition from prototyping to series production.

We view the emphasis on advanced composites as essential to the D328eco’s market positioning. The aircraft is being marketed heavily on its environmental credentials, which depend on aggressive weight reduction to maximize the efficiency of its turboprop engines. This composite strategy pairs with the company’s ongoing propulsion initiatives, including testing 100 percent synthetic, zero-aromatic fuels and validating Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) compatibility in cooperation with Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Sources: Business Wire