Japan Airlines breaks ground on Haneda landing gear MRO facility, forms dedicated real estate arm

Japan Airlines (JAL) has begun construction of a new landing gear maintenance facility in the Haneda Airport Maintenance District, with completion targeted for December 2027. In parallel, the airline has established a new company, Landing Gear Innovation Factory Co., Ltd. (LIF), on 8 June 2026 to own and manage the real estate associated with the development.

The investment marks a significant step in JAL’s strategy to expand its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, particularly in the specialised field of landing gear. The carrier aims to build a next-generation hub capable of serving both domestic and international demand, while consolidating functions currently spread across multiple sites.

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Landing gear systems—critical for take-off, landing and ground operations—require heavy maintenance roughly once every decade. This involves removing the gear assemblies from the aircraft for complete overhaul, a process that demands advanced technical expertise and highly specialised infrastructure. The new facility will incorporate capabilities such as plating, next-generation thermal spraying, painting, surface treatment and non-destructive testing.

JAL said the factory will also introduce automation, labour-saving systems and new equipment being deployed in Japan for the first time. These upgrades are intended to improve quality consistency and throughput, while addressing workforce challenges.

The carrier, which has more than 50 years’ experience in large aircraft landing gear maintenance, said the project will support three key priorities: the transfer of technical skills to the next generation of engineers, productivity gains through modernisation and consolidation, and reduced environmental impact via an eco-efficient building design.

Operational responsibility for landing gear maintenance will remain with JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (JALEC), the group’s MRO arm. Together with LIF, the companies are expected to strengthen JAL’s position in the global landing gear MRO market, while supporting broader growth in Japan’s aviation sector.

JAL said the initiative will also contribute to operational safety across its fleet and for third-party customers, as it seeks to scale its MRO business internationally.

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