Wall Street Journal
• Mark Maurer
AAR expects to close its $1.8 billion acquisition of a 65% stake in MRO Holdings in the third quarter of fiscal 2027, while HAECO adds contracts with ANA, JAL and Garuda and GMF AeroAsia wins a four-year Boeing 747 heavy-maintenance deal from AirZeta.
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AAR expects to close its $1.8 billion acquisition of a 65% stake in MRO Holdings in the third quarter of fiscal 2027, while HAECO adds contracts with ANA, JAL and Garuda and GMF AeroAsia wins a four-year Boeing 747 heavy-maintenance deal from AirZeta.
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Airbus has identified a coating defect on fuselage stringers supplied by a subcontractor on around 500 A321neo aircraft. Rework may take up to nine days per aircraft, while affected operators could have as long as two years to complete repairs, adding pressure to September delivery targets.
A court has dismissed Aeroflot’s $28.5 million claim against an MRO provider, ending the reported dispute in the firm’s favor. The ruling highlights the legal and financial exposure that can arise from disagreements between airlines and maintenance providers.
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Airbus has identified a quality defect in a protective coating on a structural component of the A321neo, potentially affecting several hundred aircraft, including as many as 500. The issue does not compromise flight safety, but operators must complete repairs within two years rather than the normal four-year maintenance cycle, adding pressure to deliveries and fleet planning.
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China Airlines selected Safran to overhaul landing gear on its 18 Airbus A350-900s from 2026 through 2031, while Japan Airlines renewed Boeing 787 component support with Lufthansa Technik. Hebei Airlines and FTAI Aviation also advanced CFM56 maintenance arrangements and regional service capacity.
SATS is piloting autonomous cargo vehicles carrying up to 800 kilograms between Changi terminals and freight forwarders’ warehouses, while Singapore Airlines and DHL Express renew an agreement covering five Boeing 777 freighters. SIA will continue providing crews and maintenance for DHL’s Singapore-based intercontinental network.
Colombia’s Avianca has secured $300 million in financing for an MRO service in Brazil. The investment gives the airline additional capacity to develop its maintenance, repair and overhaul activities in the country, although the available reporting does not specify the facility, partners or implementation timeline.
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United Airlines has taken delivery of the first Airbus A321XLR equipped with Pratt & Whitney’s GTF Advantage turbofan, making it the engine’s launch airline customer. The upgraded PW1100G variant is designed to deliver greater thrust, longer range and up to twice the time on wing of earlier versions.
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