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ST Engineering and Collins Aerospace Sign MRO Agreements

ST Engineering and Collins Aerospace expand component repair and OEM parts procurement for Boeing 787, 737 MAX, and A320neo platforms.

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Photo: ST Engineering

ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business and Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, have signed three multi-year agreements to expand component repair capabilities and original equipment manufacturer parts procurement for major Boeing and Airbus aircraft platforms.

Announced in a press release on September 23, 2026, the collaboration is designed to deliver faster turnaround times for component repairs amid ongoing global supply chain constraints. The agreements integrate Collins Aerospace’s original equipment manufacturing (OEM) data and parts with ST Engineering’s global maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) network.

Expanding component support and repair capabilities

The three agreements broaden ST Engineering’s authorized repair capabilities for the Boeing 787 and extend lifecycle repair support for the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft families. The deal also expands ST Engineering’s procurement of OEM spare parts for narrowbody aircraft, specifically targeting components for the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo.

Supported components under the new agreements include Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), Collins fan assembly electronics boards, and Power & Controls spare parts.

Poon Kok Wah, Senior Vice President and Head of Component Services at ST Engineering, stated in the press release that the expanded scope deepens the collaboration between the two companies and enhances the value of ST Engineering’s Maintenance-By-the-Hour program.

“Our longstanding relationship with Collins Aerospace brings together its OEM expertise and ST Engineering’s lifecycle MRO and comprehensive asset management strengths to better support airline operators worldwide,” Poon said.

He noted that the agreements will directly bolster in-house component MRO capabilities for the 787, 737 MAX, and A320neo platforms, alongside improvements in distribution and material services.

Strategic growth and infrastructure investment

The component support agreements follow parallel infrastructure investments by both companies to capture growing aftermarket demand. On September 9, 2026, ST Engineering announced an expansion of its nacelle MRO capacity at its Stockholm facility. The project will add approximately 5,000 square meters of capacity by early 2027 to accommodate increasing demand for widebody nacelle maintenance.

According to reporting by Aviation Week, modern composite nacelles increasingly require access to proprietary repair procedures and OEM engineering data. This technical requirement makes licensing agreements with manufacturers like Collins Aerospace strategically vital for independent MRO providers.

Collins Aerospace is concurrently expanding its manufacturing and support footprint in Singapore. In August 2024, the company announced a $250 million investment to relocate its Singapore manufacturing plant to a new facility in the Seletar Aerospace Park. Construction on the new site is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and conclude by 2027, according to the Association of Aerospace Industries Singapore.

AirPro News analysis

We view the deepening integration between Tier 1 OEMs and independent MRO providers as a necessary response to persistent supply chain bottlenecks. As new-generation aircraft like the 737 MAX and A320neo mature, the volume of components requiring specialized repair procedures is increasing. By securing direct access to Collins Aerospace OEM parts and technical data, ST Engineering can bypass secondary market shortages and offer operators more predictable dispatch reliability. For Collins Aerospace, leveraging ST Engineering’s established global MRO infrastructure allows the manufacturer to scale its aftermarket support without bearing the full capital expenditure of building new, wholly owned repair stations.

Sources: ST Engineering

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Duncan Aviation Reopens Engine Rapid Response at Centennial Airport

Duncan Aviation has reopened its Engine Rapid Response Team location at Centennial Airport, where it ran an RRT site from 1994 to 2021.

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Duncan Aviation Reopens Engine Rapid Response at Centennial Airport
Photo: Duncan Aviation

Duncan Aviation has reopened its Engine Rapid Response Team (RRT) location at Centennial Airport (APA) in Englewood, Colorado, putting a dedicated engine technician back on a field where the company ran an RRT location from 1994 to 2021. The site covers all models of the Honeywell HTF7000 and TFE731 and the Pratt & Whitney PW300 and PW500 series, with line maintenance, scheduled minor inspections and Aircraft on Ground (AOG) dispatch.

The Lincoln, Nebraska, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) provider announced the reopening in a press release dated November 10, 2026. The team sits next to Duncan Aviation’s existing Satellite shop at APA and serves business aircraft operators in the greater Denver area and surrounding regions, including Fort Collins and Broomfield.

What the Centennial engine team will handle

Engine Technician James Higgins is stationed at APA to oversee local support and regional dispatches. According to the company, he is backed by a fully equipped mobile unit, specialized tooling and dedicated local inventory. Duncan said the location lets operators get common engine maintenance and AOG support without moving their aircraft to a major maintenance facility.

The release lists the work by engine family. For the Honeywell HTF7000, it covers scheduled and unscheduled maintenance including bimodal repair, fan balancing, borescope inspections and Spectrometric Oil Analysis Program (SOAP) sampling for engines and auxiliary power units (APUs). For the Honeywell TFE731, the scope adds front-end work down to planetary access and repair, back-end access, interstage turbine temperature (ITT) harness troubleshooting and replacement, and accessory gearbox (AGB) work.

For the Pratt & Whitney PW300 and PW500 series, Duncan lists scheduled and unscheduled maintenance including hot section inspections (HSIs) on PW500 series engines, fan balancing, borescope inspections and SOAP sampling. The company said Higgins can work on PW300 series engines beyond the low-pressure turbine (LPT) section, is expanding his PW300 expertise and is scheduled for additional factory training. The release does not say when that training will take place.

“We are excited to re-establish our local Engine Rapid Response presence at Centennial Airport,” said Shane Heier, Engine Rapid Response Manager at Duncan Aviation. Heier said that with nearly 150 operators based at APA and steady demand for localized AOG support across Colorado, having a dedicated engine technician on the field allows the company to respond immediately when customers need it most.

The business jets behind the four engine families

Honeywell lists the Bombardier Challenger 300 and Challenger 350, the Citation Longitude, the Embraer Legacy 450/500, the Embraer Praetor 500/600 and the Gulfstream G280 among HTF7000 platforms. The manufacturer says the HTF7000 family has logged more than 12 million flight hours, with takeoff thrust listed at 6500-7500 lbf.

The TFE731, first certified in 1972, has been produced in twenty models with more than 13,000 units built, according to Honeywell, which names the Bombardier Learjet 70/75, Dassault Falcon 900 and Gulfstream 150 among its platforms. Honeywell’s specifications cite 108 million flight hours to date and 9,400 engines still in service.

Pratt & Whitney says its PW300 family, four engine series and 13 models rated from 4,700 to 8,000 pounds of thrust, powers the majority of mid-size jets. It describes the PW500, three series and eight models rated from 2,900 to 4,500 pounds of thrust, as the leading engine for fractional business aviation, built for light to mid-size business jets.

Duncan Aviation’s engine investments in its 70th year

Founded in 1956 as a single-hangar operation, Duncan Aviation is marking its 70th anniversary in 2026. It runs full-service facilities in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah, and the company says dozens of other regional facilities across the United States provide scheduled support and rapid response for avionics, engine and airframe AOG situations.

The Centennial reopening follows other Duncan engine investments in 2026. In a release dated April 7, 2026, Duncan said five engine technicians had completed four weeks of factory-led training on the PW308A and PW308C at its Pratt & Whitney Canada Designated Overhaul Facility (DOF) in Lincoln, a step covered in AirPro News’ report on its PW308 overhaul capabilities. The company said the PW308 is the largest engine its DOF currently supports, and that technicians at its Battle Creek and Provo MRO locations are line-authorized to support Pratt & Whitney engines.

On June 25, 2026, Duncan dedicated an expanded Turbine Engine Overhaul Shop at its Lincoln headquarters. The company described the facility as a long-term infrastructure investment to meet growing global demand, building on its status as a Pratt & Whitney Designated Overhaul Facility. “This facility represents a significant investment in our future,” Chairman Todd Duncan said. On the avionics side, the company announced in October 2026 that it had purchased Gogo Galileo HDX systems to meet customer demand and installation schedules, a move detailed in AirPro News’ report on its Gogo Galileo HDX order.

Centennial Airport and the Denver Satellite shop

Centennial Airport is owned and operated by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority and sits in the southeast metro Denver business district, 12 miles from downtown Denver. The airport describes itself as one of the world’s busiest general aviation airports, reporting 362,407 aircraft operations in 2023, and says approximately 850 aircraft are based there, including 180 jets. More than 125 businesses operate on the field, which is open 24/7/365 with 24/7 U.S. Customs services.

Duncan’s Denver Satellite at APA, at 12850 East Control Tower Road, provides avionics line services and avionics installations from 10,000 sq. ft. of hangar space, according to the company’s location page. Its line services include Reduced Vertical Separation Minimums (RVSM), Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) and full avionics inspections, as well as flight data recorder (FDR) downloads, and its technicians travel to all Denver metro airports and within a 200-mile radius.

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Embraer Signs AHEAD Predictive Maintenance Deal for Mexicana E2 Fleet

Mexicana will use Embraer’s AHEAD predictive maintenance platform on its E2 fleet of five E195-E2 and five E190-E2 jets under a long-term deal.

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Embraer Signs AHEAD Predictive Maintenance Deal for Mexicana E2 Fleet
Photo: Embraer

Embraer and Mexicana (XN), Mexico’s state-owned airline, have signed a long-term contract to put Embraer’s AHEAD predictive maintenance platform on the carrier’s E2 fleet of five Embraer E195-E2 and five E190-E2 aircraft, part of a 20-aircraft E2 order announced in 2024.

Embraer announced the agreement in a press release dated November 12, 2026, from São José dos Campos, Brazil. AHEAD, short for Aircraft Health Analysis and Diagnosis, analyzes data generated by the aircraft to flag likely faults early.

What AHEAD monitors

According to Embraer, AHEAD monitors in real time systems including the auxiliary power unit (APU), fuel, pneumatic, hydraulic, avionics, engines, navigation, air conditioning and flight controls, and it analyzes data both in flight and on the ground. Embraer’s digital solutions page says the platform uses advanced analytics algorithms and artificial intelligence, combining sensor data, aircraft history and environmental factors to generate maintenance predictions.

Embraer says the system reduces unscheduled downtime, lowers maintenance costs and cuts CO₂ emissions by preventing fuel waste caused by technical problems. The announcement gives no figures for those savings, and the value of the contract was not disclosed.

Mexicana CEO Leobardo Ávila Bojórquez framed the contract as the airline’s next step in maintenance planning:

“AHEAD represents the next step; by using the data generated by each aircraft, we can anticipate maintenance needs.”

He said the approach should support Mexicana’s performance as its fleet and network grow. Carlos Naufel, CEO of Embraer Services & Support, called the deal a step in a long-term collaboration while Mexicana expands its E2 operations. “Through our AHEAD platform, we are driving a more predictive, data-driven approach to maintenance,” he said, linking it to higher fleet availability and fewer disruptions.

Mexicana’s E2 fleet and network

The state-owned airline began operations on December 26, 2023, after the Mexican state acquired the “Mexicana” brand. From that date through October 2026, it carried more than 1.33 million passengers. It flies from Felipe Ángeles International Airport (AIFA) to 20 destinations in Mexico and is, the release says, the first and only Mexican airline to operate the E2 family.

The fleet of ten comprises five E190-E2s, which seat 108 passengers each, and five E195-E2s, which seat 132. AirPro News previously covered Mexicana’s plans for its E2 fleet. Embraer describes the 2024 order for 10 E190-E2s and 10 E195-E2s as a strategic investment for the Mexican State Airline.

Part of a run of Embraer services deals

Embraer’s media center lists other support announcements from its services business: the selection of FL Technics as a new Authorized Service Center for E-Jets in Lithuania on October 29, 2026; enhanced support for the Air Dolomiti E-Jets fleet through Embraer’s Pool Program on October 28, 2026; and the nomination of Fokker Services Group as an Embraer Authorized Service Center for the Royal Netherlands Air Force C-390 Millennium fleet on November 3, 2026.

Embraer, founded in 1969 and headquartered in Brazil, says it has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft and describes itself as the largest maker of commercial aircraft with up to 150 seats.

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Safran Launches FleetLife as Dubreuil Airlines Sign for 13 A350s

Safran launched FleetLife predictive maintenance, and French bee and Air Caraïbes chose it for landing gear on 13 Airbus A350s.

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Safran Launches FleetLife as Dubreuil Airlines Sign for 13 A350s
Photo: Safran

Safran has launched FleetLife, a predictive maintenance service for aircraft equipment, and signed Groupe Dubreuil airlines French bee (BF) and Air Caraïbes (TX) to use it on the landing systems and landing gear of their joint fleet of 13 Airbus A350 aircraft.

In a press release dated November 10, 2026, Safran said it announced FleetLife at the annual Predictive Aircraft Maintenance (PAM) conference in Dublin. The service combines advanced data analytics with the expertise of Safran’s teams to flag equipment that needs attention at an early stage, so airlines can plan servicing, limit unscheduled maintenance and keep more of their fleet available. Safran said that over the past two years it has monitored more than 600,000 flights across ten airlines operating Airbus A380, A350 and A320neo aircraft, and that Avianca and Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS) contributed to the development and testing of FleetLife.

What the Dubreuil airlines signed

The multi-year contract with Safran Landing Systems covers monitoring of the two airlines’ landing systems and maintenance recommendations developed by Safran Landing Systems experts. Safran did not disclose the value or exact length of the contract, and the release does not say whether Avianca or SAS now use FleetLife in service.

Darren Waite, Customer Support and Services EVP at Safran Landing Systems, said the aim is to help French bee and Air Caraïbes maximize the availability and performance of their fleets. “We know that an aircraft creates value in the air, not on the ground,” he said, adding that everything the company does is focused on keeping the aircraft flying.

Géry Mortreux, Managing Director of the Dubreuil Group’s Aviation Division, said the agreement strengthens the long-standing relationship between the group’s two airlines and Safran Landing Systems. He said the airlines want to change their approach to maintenance to further enhance the safety of their flights and passengers and to optimize fleet availability.

In the AirPro Atlas, which records aircraft seen flying since October 12, 2026, French bee appears with Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft and a hub at Paris-Orly Airport (ORY). Air Caraïbes appears with both A350 variants alongside Airbus A330-300 and ATR 72-600 aircraft, with its hub at Maryse Condé International Airport (PTP) in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe.

How Safran already sells A350 landing gear monitoring

Safran Landing Systems, which describes itself as the world leader in aircraft landing and braking systems, already markets a predictive maintenance service for the A350 under its Landing Life support brand. On its product page, the company says it monitors the health of ATA 32 (landing gear) systems on the A350 in real time, with a dedicated Fleet Manager watching that equipment across customers’ fleets. When an anomaly is confirmed, an Alert Tracker goes to the airline, and recommended actions range from component replacement to sensor rigging.

The same page lists more than 120 A350 aircraft under contract, 100% of the ATA 32 scope monitored in real time and 90% of faults confirmed in the shop. Safran’s FleetLife release does not say how the new service relates to that existing offer.

Safran Landing Systems launched Landing Life on October 11, 2021, as a single brand for its support services for landing gear, wheels, brakes and associated systems, grouped in a customer portal. At the time, the company said it supported 27,000 aircraft and described advanced data analysis services, including predictive maintenance, as a key growth factor. FleetLife is offered through the Safran Customer Portal in a secure, ISO 27001-certified environment designed to protect customer data, according to the November 2026 release.

Air Caraïbes and Safran data

Air Caraïbes has spoken publicly about Safran’s monitoring before. At a Safran customer event during the Paris Air Show on June 17, 2025, Benoit Cosseron, Technical Director at Air Caraïbes, described the airline’s A350s as highly connected aircraft that produce thousands of data points. He said Safran secures the data flow, mines the data and issues alerts when necessary. “Fewer grounded aircraft means more satisfied passengers,” Cosseron said.

Safran’s article on that event said hundreds of onboard sensors measure vibration, temperature and pressure, and that its services use the data to monitor engines, landing gear and nacelles in service. Its experts analyze the data with algorithms the group developed and send recommendations to customers.

A busy market for fleet data services

Safran first appeared at PAM in Dublin on November 11 and 12, 2025, when Safran Nacelles and Safran Landing Systems presented their health monitoring and predictive maintenance services. Safran said that edition drew nearly 300 participants, including representatives from more than 60 airlines, and that SAS presented its feedback on Safran Nacelles’ solutions for its fleet.

Boeing sells its own fleet data tools. On October 20, 2026, Boeing introduced Dataliner, an AI-powered data intelligence platform built with Microsoft that lets airlines keep their data in their own environments while drawing on Boeing and industry intelligence for maintenance and operational decisions. Boeing said Dataliner also connects existing products, including Airplane Health Management and Maintenance Performance Toolbox.

Safran is also building artificial intelligence capacity for maintenance work. Its plan for an AI centre of excellence in Singapore, announced in a release published by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) on October 29, 2026, would give Safran.AI its first international subsidiary, Safran.AI Singapore, with a centre of excellence whose initial focus is automating digital inspection for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). The EDB release said the unit is expected to grow to about 50 employees over five years.

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