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MRO & Manufacturing

SIAEC and Safran Form $118M LEAP Engine MRO Joint Venture

SIA Engineering Company and Safran Aircraft Engines sign a US$118M JV to build a CFM LEAP MRO facility in Singapore.

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SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) and Safran Aircraft Engines (SAE) signed a joint venture agreement on June 5, 2026, to establish a US$118 million maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Singapore dedicated to CFM LEAP engines.

The partnership, detailed in a Safran Group press release, addresses accelerating demand for engine maintenance in the Asia-Pacific region as airlines expand their fleets of Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft powered by LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines.

Facility integration and equity structure

Under the terms of the agreement, Safran Aircraft Engines will hold a 51% equity stake in the joint venture, with SIAEC holding the remaining 49%. According to reporting by The Business Times, the total financial value of the joint venture is US$118 million. The new enterprise will integrate SIAEC’s existing LEAP engine Quick Turn (QT) maintenance operations, currently located at its Aircraft Engine Services facility in Changi North, to form the foundation of the new shop.

“The creation of this joint company with SIA Engineering Company marks a significant step forward in strengthening our global MRO ecosystem to meet the accelerating demand for LEAP engine maintenance in Asia-Pacific. This new MRO facility brings together the expertise of both companies to provide world-class performance and reliable support, helping our airline customers,” Nicolas Potier, Executive Vice President Support and Services at Safran Aircraft Engines, stated in the release.

Partnership timeline and regional expansion

The June 5, 2026, agreement builds upon a multi-year relationship between the two aviation firms. On December 13, 2019, SIAEC and Safran Aircraft Engines signed an initial 10-year contract for SIAEC to provide engine Quick Turn and modification embodiment services for the CFM LEAP engine family. The companies subsequently signed a Letter of Intent on November 25, 2025, to explore expanding their partnership into a full joint venture.

“Building on our LEAP engine maintenance services agreement with SAE in 2019, the new LEAP MRO JV combines SAE’s OEM expertise and SIAEC’s MRO excellence, strengthening the LEAP maintenance network and enhancing SIAEC’s new-generation engine capability to meet global LEAP engine maintenance demand,” said Wong Yue Jeen, Chief Commercial Officer of SIA Engineering Company Limited.

AirPro News analysis

The formalization of this joint venture highlights a critical priority in the current aviation supply chain: expanding engine maintenance capacity. As the global fleet of new-generation narrowbody aircraft grows, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and independent MRO providers must build sufficient shop visit capacity to keep pace with operational demands. By anchoring this facility in Singapore, Safran secures a strategic foothold in the high-growth Asia-Pacific market while leveraging SIAEC’s established regional infrastructure. We view this US$118 million investment as a necessary step to support the operational reliability of Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX fleets operating throughout the region.

Sources: Safran Group

Photo Credit: Safran Group

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MRO & Manufacturing

ExecuJet Belgium Earns EASA and FAA Approval for Falcon 6X

ExecuJet MRO Services Belgium secures EASA and FAA certification for Falcon 6X line and heavy maintenance plus AOG support.

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ExecuJet MRO Services Belgium has secured regulatory approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to perform line and heavy maintenance on the Dassault Falcon 6X.

Announced in a company press release on July 13, 2026, the dual certification allows the Brussels-based facility to service the growing global fleet of the 5,500-nautical-mile range business jet. The approval also expands the company’s Dassault MRO GoTeam capabilities to include aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support for the Falcon 6X.

Expanding global support for the Falcon 6X

In addition to EASA and FAA certification, the Brussels facility received maintenance approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bermuda, the Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba, and the Office of the Director of Civil Aviation in Guernsey. These combined authorizations enable ExecuJet Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Services to support a wide registry of international operators.

Matthijs Hutsebaut, Regional Vice President for Europe at ExecuJet MRO Services, highlighted the operational impact of the new certifications.

“EASA and FAA are the world’s two most internationally recognised civil aviation regulators. This approval is significant as it means we are now internationally certified to do line and heavy maintenance on all in-production Falcon aircraft types,” Hutsebaut stated.

According to the company, there are currently more than 30 Dassault Falcon 6X aircraft operating worldwide. Hutsebaut noted that demand for maintenance and support services is scaling alongside the active fleet. He added that the combination of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) expertise and AOG capabilities positions the facility to provide comprehensive support to operators.

Broader network growth and recent milestones

The Falcon 6X approval in Belgium follows a series of recent capability expansions across the ExecuJet MRO Services global network, which operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation.

On June 11, 2026, the Belgium facility completed an extensive heavy maintenance project on a Dassault Falcon 7X. That project included an engine change, avionics upgrades, and the installation of a Starlink satellite communications system.

The company is also expanding its heavy maintenance footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. On June 3, 2026, ExecuJet MRO Services Australasia announced the expansion of its Dassault Falcon 7X heavy maintenance capabilities at its Sydney facility, with C-checks scheduled to commence in October 2026.

AirPro News analysis

As new clean-sheet aircraft designs like the Dassault Falcon 6X enter service and build flight hours, the availability of certified maintenance infrastructure becomes a critical factor for operator dispatch reliability. By securing EASA and FAA approvals at a major European hub, Dassault Aviation is leveraging its wholly-owned ExecuJet MRO Services subsidiary to capture aftermarket revenue while ensuring its newest flagship operators have immediate access to heavy maintenance and AOG recovery. We expect to see similar capability rollouts across other ExecuJet MRO Services regional hubs as the Falcon 6X fleet matures and approaches its first major scheduled maintenance intervals.

Sources: ExecuJet MRO Services (July 13, 2026)

Photo Credit: ExecuJet MRO Services

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MRO & Manufacturing

Jet Access Maintenance Becomes Starlink Dealer Amid Price Hike

Jet Access Maintenance joins the Starlink dealer network as SpaceX raises aviation hardware costs 38% and doubles its top-tier monthly plan.

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Jet Access Maintenance has secured authorization as a Starlink dealer, expanding its in-flight connectivity upgrade offerings across three maintenance facilities on the same day SpaceX implemented a massive pricing restructure for its aviation internet service.

In a press release issued on July 7, 2026, the company confirmed it will now evaluate, acquire, install, and support Starlink Aviation solutions. The authorization allows Jet Access Maintenance to perform the upgrades at its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in Indianapolis, Indiana; Nashville, Tennessee; and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Expanding MRO connectivity capabilities

The addition of Starlink hardware sales and activation support integrates into the company’s broader aircraft modernization initiatives. Installations will be completed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified technicians.

The MRO provider will handle ongoing maintenance, technical support, and integration with existing avionics systems for business aviation operators. Scott Dillon, President of Jet Access Maintenance, stated in the release that connectivity is an increasingly important part of the ownership and flight experience.

“By adding Starlink to our offering, we’re expanding the solutions available to our clients and helping them identify the connectivity platform that best supports their aircraft and mission requirements,” Dillon said.

SpaceX restructures Starlink Aviation pricing

The Jet Access Maintenance announcement coincides exactly with a major shift in Starlink’s business model. On July 7, 2026, SpaceX notified customers of a significant pricing restructure for its Starlink Business Aviation plans.

According to reporting by Aviation Week and Corporate Jet Investor, the top-tier Aviation Global Unlimited plan doubled in price from $10,000 to $20,000 per month. SpaceX also introduced a new mid-tier option, the Aviation Regional Unlimited plan, priced at $12,500 per month. This regional plan restricts unlimited data usage to a single continental region.

Hardware costs for business jets also saw a substantial increase. Holstein Aviation reported that the cost for Starlink Aviation hardware installation rose by approximately 38 percent, jumping from $145,000 to $200,000. Official Starlink Support documentation confirms these new rates take effect for existing customers on August 7, 2026.

AirPro News analysis

We note that the timing of this dealer authorization places Jet Access Maintenance in a unique position. The company is entering the Starlink dealer network just as the product undergoes its most significant pricing and tier-structure shift to date.

The 38 percent increase in hardware costs and the doubling of the global unlimited data plan alter the value proposition for mid-light jet operators. While Starlink remains a highly sought-after low-latency connectivity solution, the new $200,000 hardware baseline and $12,500 minimum monthly commitment will likely shift the primary upgrade market toward heavy jet and ultra-long-range aircraft operators. Jet Access Maintenance will need to navigate this new pricing reality as it pitches modernization initiatives to its existing client base.

Sources: Jet Access Maintenance, Aviation Week, Corporate Jet Investor, Starlink Support, Holstein Aviation

Photo Credit: Jet Access Maintenance

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MRO & Manufacturing

Safran Opens $140M LEAP Engine MRO Facility in Mexico

Safran Aircraft Engines inaugurated a $140M LEAP engine maintenance facility in Querétaro, targeting 350 shop visits annually by 2030.

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Safran Aircraft Engines officially opened a $140 million maintenance facility in Querétaro, Mexico, on July 1, 2026, expanding its capacity to service the rapidly growing global fleet of CFM LEAP engines. The new shop adds significant infrastructure to the manufacturers footprint in the Americas, targeting the high-volume narrowbody market.

The facility is part of a broader €1 billion global investment strategy by the company to scale its Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) network. The CFM LEAP engine powers next-generation narrowbody aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo family and the Boeing 737 MAX, both of which are seeing increased shop visit demand as early-delivery airframes mature.

Scaling LEAP engine maintenance in the Americas

The comprehensive MRO hub in Querétaro spans a total footprint of 50,000 square meters. Safran projects that by 2030, the two maintenance facilities located at the site will be capable of handling 350 LEAP engine shop visits annually. The site also features a new test cell designed to perform 350 engine tests per year by the end of the decade.

In a press release issued to mark the opening, Stéphane Cueille, CEO of Safran Aircraft Engines, stated that the inauguration strengthens the Querétaro hub’s role at the center of the company’s maintenance ecosystem in the Americas.

Workforce growth and training initiatives

The new engine shop will employ 450 people when operating at full capacity. This expansion adds to the existing workforce across the four Safran Aircraft Engine Services Americas facilities in Querétaro, which currently stands at 1,450 employees. Safran projects the total headcount for its Querétaro operations will reach 2,000 by 2030.

To support this rapid workforce expansion, the company established an onsite training center in partnership with local educational institutions. The center is designed to train 300 inspectors and technicians annually, creating a direct pipeline of qualified personnel for the MRO hub.

“With continued investment in Mexico and around the world we will address the growing global demand for LEAP engine maintenance while continuing to deliver world class support to our customers in the region,” Cueille said.

Global MRO network expansion

The Querétaro engine shop inauguration aligns with Safran Aircraft Engines’ €1 billion global investment plan. To support the expanding CFM LEAP engine fleet, the company recently opened similar maintenance facilities in India, Morocco, and Belgium.

The broader Safran Group is also increasing its footprint in Mexico across other divisions. On June 10, 2026, Safran Landing Systems announced an expansion of its global MRO capabilities, which included its separate Querétaro site, to support landing gear maintenance for Boeing 787, Airbus A350, and Airbus A330 aircraft.

AirPro News analysis

The aggressive expansion of Safran’s MRO network underscores the industry-wide pressure to keep next-generation narrowbody fleets operational. As the CFM LEAP engine matures and the installed base on Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft grows, shop visit demand is accelerating. We view the $140 million investment in Querétaro as a strategic move to localize heavy maintenance near major North and South American operators, reducing turnaround times and logistical bottlenecks. The concurrent focus on local workforce training highlights a critical challenge in the MRO sector: securing the qualified technicians required to meet projected maintenance volumes over the next decade.

Sources: Safran Group

Photo Credit: Safran Group

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