Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) and robotics firm Donecle have launched a joint verification project to conduct aircraft exterior inspections using fully autonomous drones. The initiative, announced in a press release on September 11, 2026, is the first in Japan to utilize drone technology explicitly approved within aircraft manufacturers’ maintenance manuals.

The project aims to replace traditional manual visual inspections, which require mechanics to work at elevated heights on scaffolding or lift equipment. By automating this process inside its hangars, JAL intends to reduce inspection times while enhancing workplace safety for its maintenance personnel.

Transitioning to automated visual inspections

Operational testing for the project began at the end of June 2026. JAL mechanics have been conducting side-by-side comparisons between conventional visual inspections and high-resolution images captured by the drones to verify the effectiveness and accuracy of the technology.

The project utilizes Donecle’s Iris GVI drone. The autonomous aircraft measures 855 millimeters in length and width, stands 245 millimeters tall, and weighs 3,700 grams including its battery. The system navigates the hangar environment to scan the aircraft exterior and capture detailed visual data for inspection records.

Operational efficiency and future applications

JAL plans to reallocate the labor hours saved by the automated drone inspections toward predictive maintenance tasks. The airline operates a fleet of 234 aircraft as of March 2026, serving a network of 413 airports across 71 countries and regions. Improving maintenance efficiency is a core component of maintaining dispatch reliability across this global network.

Future phases of the joint project will target specific operational pain points. JAL and Donecle aim to use the drones for rapid unscheduled inspections following suspected lightning strikes, a process that traditionally causes significant flight delays. The companies also plan to implement regular automated monitoring of aircraft paint conditions.

Donecle’s international expansion

The partnership with JAL follows a period of growth for Donecle. In April 2026, the company secured €10 million in new capital investment. According to reporting by Aviation Week, this funding was earmarked to drive international expansion and further develop the company’s artificial intelligence technology for defect detection.

AirPro News analysis

We view the explicit approval of drone technology within aircraft manufacturers’ maintenance manuals as the most critical element of this announcement. Historically, regulatory bodies like Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have required direct human visual confirmation for scheduled exterior inspections. By validating the Iris GVI against conventional methods, JAL is building the necessary safety case to transition Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations away from scaffolding and toward automated, AI-assisted data collection. The ability to rapidly clear an aircraft after a lightning strike using a drone could save airlines millions in delay-related costs annually.

Sources: Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

CFM International and Vietjet signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) on September 10, 2026, to evaluate the feasibility of establishing domestic MRO capabilities for CFM LEAP engines in Vietnam.

The agreement was formalized in Paris during an official visit by Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam. According to a press release from CFM International, the engine Manufacturers will propose a consulting framework to advise the Airlines on the technical, infrastructure, and workforce requirements necessary to support a local MRO facility.

Developing local aerospace expertise

The initiative aligns with the Vietnamese government’s broader strategy to cultivate high-value aerospace services and integrate the country more deeply into the global aviation supply chain.

CFM International President and CEO Gaël Meheust stated that the company intends to leverage its global experience to provide a comprehensive evaluation supporting this vision.

“Vietnam represents one of the most dynamic aviation markets in the world, and we are pleased to further strengthen our relationship with Vietjet by evaluating engine maintenance capabilities in the country,” Meheust said.

Vietjet CEO Nguyen Thanh Son emphasized that a robust aviation sector requires deep technical expertise alongside a modern fleet. Aviation Week reported that Son views the collaboration with CFM as a foundational step in building a complete aviation ecosystem within Vietnam.

“Our work with CFM is an important part of VietJet’s ambition to build a more complete aviation ecosystem in Vietnam,” Son said.

He added that the initiative is expected to establish maintenance capabilities for next-generation engines, cultivate local engineering talent, and allow the country to assume a larger role in the global aviation value chain.

Supporting rapid fleet expansion

The push for domestic MRO capabilities follows Vietjet’s aggressive fleet growth strategy. The airline currently holds Orders for 200 Boeing 737-8 aircraft, all of which will be powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines.

Securing reliable maintenance channels is critical for the carrier’s long-term operational stability. Vietjet operates a diversified next-generation fleet. While the Boeing 737-8 order relies on CFM International, the airline’s Airbus A320neo family aircraft are equipped with Pratt & Whitney PW1000G engines.

AirPro News analysis

We view Vietjet’s move to explore domestic MRO capabilities as a strategic hedge against ongoing global supply chain and maintenance bottlenecks. The global MRO network for next-generation engines remains heavily constrained by parts shortages and extended turnaround times. By developing local infrastructure, Vietjet could eventually secure greater control over its maintenance schedules and reduce out-of-service times for its growing Boeing 737-8 fleet.

This LOI also signals Vietnam’s ambition to transition from a rapidly growing consumer of commercial aviation products to a participant in the aerospace aftermarket. Establishing a certified LEAP engine MRO facility would require significant capital investment and regulatory approvals, but it would position Vietnam as a regional maintenance hub in Southeast Asia.

Sources: CFM International

StandardAero (NYSE: SARO) officially opened a 70,000-square-foot expansion at its Winnipeg, Manitoba, facility on September 3, 2026, increasing the site’s footprint by 40 percent to support growing engine maintenance demand.

The expansion significantly boosts the company’s maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity for GE Aerospace CF34 and CFM International CFM56 turbofan engines. According to a company press release, the project was supported by both provincial and federal government investments aimed at strengthening domestic aerospace capabilities and military readiness.

Expanding capacity for high-demand turbofans

The new facility targets two of the most widely used engine families in commercial and regional aviation. StandardAero will utilize the space to service the GE Aerospace CF34-3 and CF34-8, as well as the CFM International CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B.

These powerplants are equipped on a vast array of global fleets. The CF34 variants power regional and business aircraft including the Embraer E170 and E175, the MHIRJ CRJ200, CRJ700, and CRJ900, and the Bombardier Challenger 600 and 850. The CFM56 engines power the Boeing 737 NG and Airbus A320ceo families, along with military derivatives such as the Boeing P-8A Poseidon.

StandardAero has operated as a GE-Branded Service Agreement partner for the CF34 since 2001 and holds a CFM International General Support License Agreement for the CFM56 dating back to 2009. Peter Wheatley, Vice President and General Manager of CF34/CFM56 for StandardAero, stated that demand for high-quality support for these engine types continues to grow.

“By combining additional capacity with world-class equipment, talent and processes, we are delivering on our commitment to deliver operational excellence. Backed by a highly skilled workforce and a strong foundation of long-term customer commitments, this facility positions us to deliver even greater value, responsiveness and reliability,” Wheatley said.

Government investment and regional footprint

The Winnipeg expansion represents a collaborative investment between StandardAero and Canadian government entities. The company broke ground on the project on November 10, 2025, backed by a $3 million contribution from the Manitoba provincial government.

On April 24, 2026, the Canadian federal government announced an additional $8 million in funding for the Winnipeg campus. This allocation was part of a broader $19.5 million regional defense investment initiative designed to create jobs and enhance dual-use aerospace MRO capacity for both commercial and military applications.

StandardAero currently employs 1,500 workers across eight facilities in Winnipeg, a city where the company has maintained a presence for 115 years. Russell Ford, Chairman and CEO of StandardAero, noted that the expansion underscores the company’s deep roots in the region. He added that increasing capacity to support CF34 and CFM56 operators invests in the long-term success of their customers while reinforcing Winnipeg’s role as a key hub within their global network.

AirPro News analysis

The CFM56 remains the most ubiquitous commercial aircraft engine in the world. As Airlines extend the operational lives of their Boeing 737 NG and Airbus A320ceo fleets due to ongoing delivery delays for new-generation aircraft, MRO demand for the CFM56 is reaching unprecedented levels. Similarly, the CF34 continues to dominate the regional jet market, requiring sustained maintenance support as regional carriers maximize fleet utilization.

StandardAero’s dual-use focus, highlighted by the recent federal defense funding, also positions the company to secure long-term military contracts for platforms like the P-8A Poseidon. We view this 70,000-square-foot expansion as a necessary capacity injection into a highly constrained global engine MRO supply chain, ensuring StandardAero can capture the surging demand for legacy engine overhauls over the next decade.

Sources: StandardAero