HAECO Leads $360M MRO Joint Venture at Van Don Airport

A four-way joint venture led by Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO) will invest US$360 million to construct a major aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) complex at Vietnam’s Van Don International Airport. The agreement, announced on June 16, 2026, partners HAECO with Sun Group Corporation, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) to capture a share of Vietnam’s rapidly expanding aviation maintenance market.

According to press releases issued by the partner companies, the facility is targeted to commence operations in late 2028, subject to regulatory approvals. The project addresses a structural supply-demand gap in Vietnam, where domestic maintenance capacity has lagged behind airline fleet growth. This deficit has historically forced Vietnamese operators to rely heavily on established regional MRO centers in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Facility specifications and capacity

The planned MRO complex will cover approximately 170,000 square meters, or 20 hectares, making it one of the largest aircraft maintenance facilities in Vietnam. The initial hangar design accommodates simultaneous maintenance for four widebody and two narrowbody aircraft.

HAECO expects the project to create over 1,000 high-skilled jobs in Quang Ninh Province. To prepare for the late 2028 opening, the company has already begun recruiting Vietnamese technicians, who are currently undergoing training at HAECO facilities in Xiamen, China.

The facility design incorporates baseline sustainability measures from the outset. Planned infrastructure includes smart building systems for power monitoring, LED lighting, electrified ground support equipment, and advanced wastewater management systems.

Strategic partnerships and market projections

Each of the four joint venture partners brings specific operational capabilities to the Van Don project. HAECO will provide advanced maintenance technologies and oversight, while JAL contributes airline operational and maintenance expertise. Toyota Tsusho will manage the global supply-chain logistics required for heavy maintenance operations.

Sun Group Corporation, the Vietnamese conglomerate partner, will oversee foundational construction and infrastructure development. Sun Group owns both Van Don International Airport and Phu Quoc International Airport, and recently expanded its aviation footprint by launching Sun Phu Quoc Airways.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) projects the country’s MRO market will reach a value of US$7.4 billion by 2030. This joint venture positions the partners to capture domestic demand while potentially attracting regional operators seeking alternatives to capacity-constrained facilities elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

HAECO network expansion

For HAECO, the Vietnam facility represents a significant expansion of its Asia-Pacific footprint. Once the Van Don complex and a separate new facility in Xiamen are completed, HAECO’s total network capacity will reach 31 widebody and 10 narrowbody hangar bays. The company projects this infrastructure will allow it to deliver 10 million annual base maintenance man-hours network-wide.

“This joint venture marks an important milestone in HAECO’s growth strategy in Asia and for the development of aviation maintenance capability in Vietnam. HAECO is grateful for the strong support of the local government and authorities in Vietnam for enabling this investment, and for the partnership, trust and shared commitment of Sun Group, Toyota Tsusho and Japan Airlines,” said Richard Sell, Chief Executive Officer of HAECO Group.

AirPro News analysis

We view this US$360 million investment as a clear indicator that the center of gravity for Southeast Asian heavy maintenance is beginning to shift. Historically, Singapore and Malaysia have dominated the regional MRO landscape due to established supply chains and skilled labor pools. However, Vietnam’s aggressive infrastructure development, combined with lower baseline operating costs and a rapidly expanding domestic fleet, makes it a logical site for new mega-facilities.

The inclusion of Toyota Tsusho is particularly notable. Supply chain bottlenecks and parts availability remain the primary constraints on global MRO turnaround times. By integrating a dedicated logistics and supply chain partner into the joint venture from day one, the consortium is directly addressing the industry’s most persistent operational vulnerability.

Sources: HAECO Group