HAECO to Provide Landing Gear Services for China Airlines’ 737 Fleet

Key Takeaways

• On June 5, 2025, HAECO expanded landing gear services contract with China Airlines for seven Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
• Maintenance will occur at HAECO’s Xiamen facility from 2025 to 2027, using OEM-approved parts.
• The contract builds on prior agreements, including landing gear servicing for 10 Boeing 777-300ER until 2027.

On June 5, 2025, HAECO (Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited) announced a major new agreement with China Airlines to provide landing gear services for the airline’s Boeing 737-800 fleet. This contract, covering seven aircraft, will run from 2025 to 2027 and will be carried out at HAECO’s specialized landing gear facility in Xiamen, China. The deal marks another step in a partnership that has lasted more than three decades, reflecting both companies’ commitment to safety, reliability, and operational excellence.

Let’s break down what this means for the aviation industry, the two companies involved, and the broader Asia-Pacific region. We’ll also look at how the process works, why landing gear maintenance is so important, and what this partnership could mean for the future.

What’s Happening: The Key Details

Who: HAECO and China Airlines
What: Expanded contract for landing gear services
When: Announced June 5, 2025; services to run from 2025 to 2027
Where: HAECO’s landing gear facility at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Xiamen, China
Why: To ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective maintenance for China Airlines’ Boeing 737-800 fleet
How: Through a structured overhaul and maintenance process at a specialized facility

This agreement specifically covers the landing gear overhaul and maintenance for seven Boeing 737-800 aircraft. All work will be performed at HAECO’s Xiamen facility, which is recognized as an authorized repair center for the Chinese Mainland and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Why Landing Gear Services Matter

Landing gear is one of the most important parts of any aircraft. It’s the system of wheels and supporting structures that allow a plane to take off, land, and move on the ground. Because landing gear takes a lot of stress during every flight, it needs regular checks, repairs, and sometimes complete overhauls to keep the aircraft safe.

If landing gear isn’t properly maintained, it can lead to serious safety risks, unexpected groundings, and costly delays. That’s why airlines like China Airlines rely on trusted partners like HAECO to handle these critical services.

The Scope of the New Agreement

The new contract between HAECO and China Airlines covers:

• Seven Boeing 737-800 aircraft scheduled for landing gear overhaul between 2025 and 2027
• All work performed at HAECO’s dedicated landing gear facility in Xiamen
• Use of original equipment manufacturer (OEM)-approved parts and processes to ensure safety and compliance

This agreement builds on previous contracts, such as:

• Ongoing landing gear overhaul services for 10 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (until 2027)
• Comprehensive inventory technical management (ITM) for the entire Boeing 777 fleet (including 10 Boeing 777-300ER and 10 Boeing 777-200 freighter aircraft) until 2032

How the Landing Gear Overhaul Process Works

The process of overhauling landing gear is detailed and highly regulated. Here’s a step-by-step look at how HAECO handles this work for China Airlines:

1. Aircraft Selection: China Airlines decides which Boeing 737-800 aircraft need landing gear overhaul based on flight hours, cycles, and maintenance schedules.
2. Transport to Xiamen: The aircraft or just the landing gear assemblies are sent to HAECO’s Xiamen facility.
3. Inspection and Disassembly: Technicians carefully inspect the landing gear, take it apart, and check every part for wear, corrosion, or damage.
4. Repair and Overhaul: Any worn or damaged parts are repaired or replaced using OEM-approved components and methods.
5. Reassembly and Testing: The landing gear is put back together and tested to make sure it meets all safety and manufacturer standards.
6. Return to Service: The overhauled landing gear is reinstalled on the aircraft, which is then cleared for regular operations.

This process helps ensure that every aircraft is safe, reliable, and ready to fly.

The Xiamen Facility: A Regional Leader

HAECO’s landing gear facility in Xiamen is a key part of this partnership. Opened in 2008, the facility is a joint venture involving HAECO, China Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and other partners. It is authorized to handle a wide range of Boeing and Airbus aircraft, making it one of the most advanced centers of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region.

The facility’s location at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport allows for easy transport of aircraft and parts. Its team of skilled engineers and technicians uses the latest tools and technology to deliver high-quality maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.

Why This Deal Matters for China Airlines

For China Airlines, this agreement brings several important benefits:

• Operational Reliability: Regular, high-quality landing gear maintenance reduces the risk of unexpected problems and keeps the airline’s fleet flying on schedule.
• Cost Efficiency: By outsourcing landing gear services to HAECO, China Airlines can save money and focus its own resources on other key areas.
• Safety and Reputation: Working with a trusted partner like HAECO helps China Airlines maintain its strong reputation for safety and reliability.

The airline’s leadership has highlighted the value of HAECO’s expertise and resources, saying that this partnership supports their global flight network and helps them deliver better service to passengers.

HAECO’s Perspective: Growth and Validation

For HAECO, the expanded agreement with China Airlines is a sign of trust and recognition. Gerald Steinhoff, HAECO’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We are honoured to extend our partnership with China Airlines and provide our diverse range of services to support their fleet operations. With our team’s proven track record and expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, and strong commitment to exceeding our customer expectations, HAECO stands as a highly valued partner for China Airlines. We look forward to deepening our collaboration further to contribute to their continued success.”

This deal also strengthens HAECO’s position as a leading MRO provider in the Asia-Pacific region. By supporting both in-house and third-party airline customers, HAECO continues to grow its business and reputation.

Industry Impact: What Analysts Say

Aviation industry experts see this partnership as a smart move for both companies. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the deal helps both HAECO and China Airlines stay competitive in a fast-changing market. The Xiamen facility’s technical capabilities and strategic location make it a top choice for airlines in the region.

With air travel demand rising again after the pandemic, airlines are looking for ways to keep their planes flying safely and efficiently. Reliable MRO partners like HAECO play a key role in helping airlines meet these goals.

Historical Context: A Longstanding Relationship

HAECO and China Airlines have worked together for more than 35 years. Over the years, HAECO has provided a wide range of services, including:

• Landing gear overhaul
• Component support
• Inventory management

Some key milestones in their partnership include:

• Servicing China Airlines’ Boeing 747-400 freighters since 2014
• Expanding support to newer aircraft types and more comprehensive service agreements

This long history of collaboration has built strong trust and understanding between the two companies.

The Bigger Picture: Regional and Global Trends

The HAECO-China Airlines partnership reflects larger trends in the aviation industry:

• Outsourcing Maintenance: More airlines are turning to specialized MRO providers to handle complex maintenance tasks. This helps them save money and focus on their main business.
• Regional MRO Growth: The Asia-Pacific region is seeing strong growth in air travel and aircraft fleets. This is driving demand for high-quality MRO services.
• Focus on Safety and Efficiency: Airlines are under pressure to keep costs down while maintaining the highest safety standards. Reliable maintenance partners are essential to meeting these goals.

What This Means for Stakeholders

For Airlines

• Improved Reliability: Regular, expert maintenance reduces the risk of delays and cancellations.
• Cost Savings: Outsourcing allows airlines to manage maintenance costs more effectively.
• Access to Expertise: Airlines benefit from the latest technology and skilled technicians at specialized facilities.

For Passengers

• Safer Flights: Well-maintained aircraft mean safer journeys for everyone.
• Fewer Delays: Reliable maintenance helps keep flights on time.

For the Aviation Industry

• Stronger Partnerships: Deals like this encourage more collaboration between airlines and MRO providers.
• Regional Leadership: Asia-Pacific is becoming a hub for advanced aviation services.

Step-by-Step: How the Agreement Works in Practice

Here’s a closer look at how the process unfolds:

• Planning: China Airlines reviews its fleet and decides which aircraft need landing gear overhaul.
• Scheduling: The airline works with HAECO to schedule maintenance at times that minimize disruption to flight operations.
• Transport: Aircraft or landing gear assemblies are sent to Xiamen, either by flying the plane in or shipping the parts.
• Inspection: HAECO’s technicians inspect every part of the landing gear, looking for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage.
• Repair: Any problems are fixed using approved parts and methods.
• Testing: The landing gear is tested to make sure it meets all safety and performance standards.
• Reinstallation: The overhauled landing gear is put back on the aircraft, which is then cleared to return to service.

This careful, step-by-step approach ensures that every aircraft is safe and ready to fly.

Looking Ahead: Future Developments

The success of the current agreement could lead to even more collaboration between HAECO and China Airlines. Possible future developments include:

• Expanding to More Aircraft Types: As China Airlines updates its fleet, HAECO could provide services for additional aircraft models.
• Longer Service Periods: The companies might extend their agreements to cover more years.
• New Technologies: HAECO is likely to keep investing in advanced tools and methods to make maintenance even faster and more reliable.

As airlines continue to modernize and look for cost-effective solutions, partnerships like this are expected to become even more common.

Official Resources and Contact Information

For more information about HAECO’s landing gear services, you can visit their official website. If you have specific questions or need support, you can contact their Xiamen facility directly:

• Address: 280 Gaoqi South 5th Road, Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, Xiamen 361006, Fujian, PR China
• Email: [email protected]
• Tel: (852) 2767 6828

For details about China Airlines, visit their official website.

If you’re interested in aviation regulations and official maintenance standards, you can find more information on the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) website, which provides up-to-date rules and guidelines for airlines and MRO providers.

Summary Table: Key Details

Takeaways and Next Steps

• For Airlines: Consider the benefits of partnering with specialized MRO providers like HAECO to improve safety, reliability, and cost control.
• For Industry Professionals: Watch for more deals like this as airlines in the Asia-Pacific region continue to grow and modernize.
• For Passengers: Know that airlines are investing in top-quality maintenance to keep flights safe and on time.

This agreement between HAECO and China Airlines shows how strong partnerships and expert maintenance are key to the future of safe, reliable air travel. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, such collaborations will play an even bigger role in shaping the skies.

For more updates and analysis on aviation partnerships and maintenance trends, keep an eye on trusted sources like VisaVerge.com and official government websites.

Learn Today

Landing Gear → The system of wheels and structures that supports an aircraft during takeoff, landing, and ground movement.
Overhaul → A detailed inspection, repair, and replacement process to restore aircraft components to a safe, functional state.
OEM → Original Equipment Manufacturer; the company that produces the original parts or components for aircraft.
MRO → Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul services that keep aircraft safe and operational through scheduled and unscheduled work.
Inventory Technical Management (ITM) → A system that manages and tracks aircraft parts inventory to ensure availability and compliance.

This Article in a Nutshell

HAECO and China Airlines renew landing gear service contract for seven Boeing 737-800s, ensuring safety and efficiency. This partnership highlights regional MRO growth and the importance of expert maintenance in sustaining reliable airline operations across Asia-Pacific.
— By VisaVerge.com