ExecuJet MRO Services Australasia will commence heavy maintenance C-checks for the Dassault Falcon 7X at its Sydney facility in October 2026. The expansion aims to address growing regional demand for major scheduled maintenance on larger Dassault Falcon business jets in the Asia-Pacific region.

In a press release issued on June 3, 2026, the Dassault Aviation subsidiary detailed its investment in specialized tooling and personnel to build local technical capability. This development reduces the need for Asia-Pacific operators to send their aircraft out of the region for mandatory heavy maintenance intervals.

Building local technical capability

The Dassault Falcon 7X requires a C-check every eight years or 4,000 flight cycles. To support this new capability, ExecuJet MRO Services is sending two Sydney-based engineers to FlightSafety International in Paris for specialized airframe and systems training.

The company is also actively recruiting an experienced Dassault Falcon 7X engineer from the Middle East to relocate and join the Sydney team. Grant Ingall, Regional Vice President Australasia for ExecuJet MRO Services, noted that the facility is becoming an increasingly important support location for the manufacturer.

“The combination of skilled people, investment in tooling and growing operator demand gives us a strong platform to further develop our Falcon maintenance capability,” Ingall stated.

Expanding regional Falcon support

The addition of Dassault Falcon 7X heavy maintenance follows recent work on other aircraft types in the manufacturer’s portfolio. ExecuJet MRO Services Australasia recently completed a C-check on a Dassault Falcon 2000, which included a full repaint conducted in collaboration with aircraft repainting specialist Douglas Aerospace.

The Sydney facility has already secured a second Dassault Falcon 2000 C-check scheduled for later in 2026. Ingall highlighted the growing demand for support in the region, particularly for larger aircraft types, adding that local investment allows the company to provide operators with more comprehensive support.

AirPro News analysis

We view this expansion by ExecuJet MRO Services as a strategic alignment with Dassault Aviation’s broader goal of strengthening its global aftermarket footprint. By establishing heavy maintenance capabilities in Sydney, the manufacturer can offer Asia-Pacific operators a more compelling value proposition, minimizing the downtime and ferry flight costs traditionally associated with sending aircraft to Europe or North America for C-checks.

Sources: ExecuJet MRO Services

Air Transport Components has acquired Seattle-based Aero Controls, Inc., expanding its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) footprint into the Pacific Northwest and adding specialized engineering capabilities across highly technical ATA chapters.

Announced in a press release on June 4, 2026, the transaction marks the second add-on acquisition for Air Transport Components (ATC Group) since partnering with private investment firm AE Industrial Partners in June 2025. The integration of Aero Controls, Inc. (ACI) broadens ATC Group’s proprietary repair capabilities in avionics, electromechanical systems, pneumatics, transmissions, hydraulics, and emergency equipment.

Strategic expansion into the Pacific Northwest

Founded in 1984, ACI operates across three locations and holds certifications from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA). The company will continue to operate as a business unit of ATC Group while retaining its existing leadership and team, including founder John Titus.

Jimmy Newman, CEO of ATC Group, stated that ACI’s engineering expertise and industry relationships complement the company’s existing operations.

“Coupled with the expanded geographic reach to the Pacific Northwest, a critical aviation hub, this transaction bolsters our value proposition as a one-stop-shop for blue-chip airline customers,” Newman said.

Titus noted that joining ATC Group provides an opportunity to accelerate growth and deliver repair solutions for aerospace technologies. XLCS Partners served as the exclusive M&A advisor to ACI during the transaction.

Building a scaled component MRO platform

AE Industrial Partners, which reported $9.2 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025, is utilizing ATC Group to build a diversified component MRO platform.

On April 8, 2026, ATC Group acquired PAS MRO, an Oklahoma-based provider of specialized bearing repair services. Combined with ATC Group’s existing 150,000 square feet of facilities in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Gilbert, Arizona, the ACI acquisition significantly scales the platform’s capacity to serve commercial, cargo, and military operators.

Bryan McElwee, a partner at AE Industrial Partners, emphasized that the acquisition aligns with the firm’s vision of building a comprehensive MRO network. He noted the transaction adds new capabilities and positions the business for continued growth by leveraging ACI’s engineering expertise.

AirPro News analysis

The rapid succession of acquisitions by ATC Group highlights a broader consolidation trend within the aerospace MRO sector. By acquiring established, specialized shops like ACI and PAS MRO, private equity-backed platforms can quickly assemble comprehensive service portfolios that appeal to major airlines seeking to streamline their vendor networks. We expect AE Industrial Partners to continue targeting niche component repair stations to further build out ATC Group’s capabilities, particularly in high-demand areas like avionics and electromechanical systems where proprietary repair processes offer higher margins.

Sources: Air Transport Components (June 4 Press Release)

This article is based on an official press release from Liebherr.

On May 29, 2026, during the MRO Greater China 2026 exhibition, Liebherr-Aerospace and Chinese carrier Loong Air officially announced a long-term maintenance agreement. According to the company’s press release, Liebherr will provide major repair and re-coring services for the heat transfer equipment across Loong Air’s fleet of Airbus A320ceo and A320neo aircraft.

The agreement represents a significant environmental milestone for the region’s aviation maintenance sector. It marks Liebherr’s first REACH-compliant re-coring project in China, introducing advanced, eco-friendly coating processes to the Asian market. By adopting these sustainable practices, Liebherr is assisting Loong Air in preparing for increasingly stringent global environmental regulations.

Under the terms of the partnership, the two companies will share maintenance responsibilities. Liebherr-Aerospace will manage the heavy maintenance, including full matrix replacement and major re-coring services. Meanwhile, Loong Air will handle routine cleaning, minor repairs, and testing procedures to ensure ongoing quality and reliability for its fleet.

Pioneering REACH-Compliant Maintenance in China

A central component of this new service agreement is the introduction of REACH-compliant processes to the Chinese aviation market. REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) is a strict European Union regulatory framework designed to protect human health and the environment from chemical risks. Historically, aerospace heat transfer equipment relied on hexavalent chromium treatments, which are now being phased out globally due to their toxicity.

The TCS and PACS Technologies

To meet these modern environmental standards, Liebherr has industrialized a REACH-compliant Trivalent Chromium System (TCS) and a Post Application Conversion Sealer (PACS) coating process. According to the technical details provided by Liebherr, the TCS enhances corrosion resistance and paint adhesion, while the PACS seals and reinforces the protective layer for long-term durability. Together, these technologies deliver performance equivalent to legacy chromium-based treatments without the severe environmental drawbacks.

Liebherr notes that it is the first company to offer this specific REACH-compliant service for heat transfer equipment to airline customers in China. This proactive approach allows airlines to avoid costly retrofits or recertification later in the aircraft’s life cycle.

“The integration of the REACH-compliant TCS and the PACS coating process marks a significant step towards a more sustainable customer service and demonstrates our commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility for the benefit of our customers.”

Strategic Localization and Fleet Support

To support the growing demand for advanced maintenance solutions in the Asia-Pacific region, Liebherr has significantly expanded its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capabilities. All full matrix replacement and major re-coring work for Loong Air will be conducted at Liebherr’s dedicated service center in Pudong, Shanghai. The company states that this facility is hosted within a 20,000-square-meter regional headquarters and features a dedicated 800-square-meter area specifically designed for the testing and re-coring of aircraft heat transfer equipment.

Empowering Loong Air’s In-House Capabilities

Based at Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Loong Air (Zhejiang Loong Airlines Co. Ltd) commenced passenger operations in 2013. The carrier operates a fleet of over 70 aircraft, relying heavily on the Airbus A320 family for its domestic and regional routes. Maintaining a single aircraft family allows the airline to streamline crew training and spare parts management.

As the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Liebherr will support Loong Air with technical expertise, access to technical publications, training, and spare parts. This collaborative structure empowers the airline to conduct its in-house maintenance work efficiently while relying on Liebherr for specialized heavy overhauls.

“This contract with Loong Air is a premiere for our re-core activities in China and paves the way for a promising future. Together with our skilled service team in Shanghai, we are strengthening regional support and delivering Liebherr-Aerospace quality with a REACH-compliant coating process, preparing airline customers for future environmental requirements.”

AirPro News analysis

We view this agreement as a strong indicator of two major trends in the global MRO sector: the shift toward “Green Aviation” and the localization of supply chains. By moving away from toxic hexavalent chromium to REACH-compliant trivalent chromium, Liebherr is future-proofing its service offerings against inevitable regulatory tightening in Asia. Furthermore, by expanding its Shanghai facility to handle heavy, specialized re-coring locally, Liebherr enables Chinese airlines like Loong Air to receive OEM-quality maintenance without the need to ship parts overseas. This localized approach significantly reduces turnaround times and lowers the carbon footprint associated with global logistics, creating a highly competitive advantage in the post-pandemic aviation market.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is REACH compliance in aviation?
  REACH is a European Union regulation aimed at protecting human health and the environment from chemical risks. In aviation maintenance, becoming REACH-compliant often means replacing toxic chemicals, such as hexavalent chromium, with safer alternatives like Trivalent Chromium Systems (TCS) for component coatings.
• Which aircraft are covered under the Liebherr and Loong Air agreement?
  The long-term maintenance agreement covers the heat transfer equipment on Loong Air’s fleet of Airbus A320ceo and A320neo aircraft.
• Where will the heavy maintenance take place?
  Liebherr will conduct the full matrix replacement and major re-coring work at its dedicated 800-square-meter service center located within its regional headquarters in Pudong, Shanghai.

Sources: Liebherr Press Release