Japan Airlines Boosts Fleet Future With HAECO Aircraft Maintenance Partnership Extension

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Japan Airlines has announced that HAECO will continue providing base maintenance services for JAL aircraft for another 10 years. HAECO’s Xiamen facility will provide maintenance services for JAL’s 737, 767, 777, 787, A350 aircraft. JAL expects that maintenance services for more than 180 maintenance visits will be provided under the new contract. The new contract is intended to provide improved engineering support for JAL’s fleets.

HAECO and JAL have maintained a strong partnership at the Xiamen facility for more than two decades, completing over 430 aircraft inputs to date. The collaboration achieved another key milestone in 2025 when the first JAL Airbus A350 aircraft entered HAECO’s facility for base maintenance services.

With HAECO preparing to move its operations to the new Xiang’an International Airport in Xiamen by the end of 2026, JAL will continue to utilise HAECO’s engineering expertise and maintenance capabilities to support reliable fleet operations and ensure the continued performance of its aircraft.

Gerald Steinhoff, Chief Commercial Officer of HAECO, said: “We are proud of the longstanding relationship we have built with JAL. For more than 20 years, our Xiamen facility has supported its fleet, earning the trust that has enabled our collaboration to grow beyond base maintenance to include line maintenance services in Hong Kong. The strength and depth of this partnership reflect our shared commitment to excellence, and we remain dedicated to supporting JAL’s continued success.”

Takashi Hamamoto, Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, Engineering & Maintenance Division of JAL, said: “HAECO has been a trusted and highly valued partner to JAL over many years, delivering tailored solutions that support both our widebody and narrowbody fleets through a comprehensive range of technical and operational services. Having achieved the milestone of more than 430 aircraft inputs together, we are delighted to continue our base maintenance partnership with HAECO as it transitions to its new facility in Xiamen. We look forward to further developing our partnership to shape the future of the sky together in the years ahead.”

HAECO’s new maintenance base at Xiang’an International Airport in Xiamen is scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2026 and has already secured LEED Platinum certification, making it the first civil aviation hangar outside the United States to receive this prestigious recognition. Designed as the world’s largest single-span hangar, the facility is expected to set new standards in sustainable aviation maintenance, advanced technology adoption and operational efficiency.

Japan Airlines (JAL) maintains a strong connection with HAECO through its shareholding in Taikoo (Xiamen) Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd. (HAECO Xiamen). The airline is also a joint venture partner in HAECO’s upcoming maintenance facility at Van Don International Airport in Vietnam, which is scheduled to commence operations in 2028.