JAL, HAECO, Toyota Tsusho, and Sun Group to develop new MRO facility at Van Don Airport

Four companies from three countries and territories – Japan, Vietnam, and Hong Kong SAR – have launched a joint venture to develop a new aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Van Don International Airport in Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.

The four companies forming the joint venture include Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. (JAL), Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited (HAECO), Sun Group Corporation (Sun Group) and Toyota Tsusho Corporation (Toyota). Combined the four companies are investing around USD $360 million for the new facility on a 20 hectare site at Van Don Airport.

Located on the northern coast of Vietnam around 200km east of Hanoi, Van Don International Airport. The Sun Group built and currently operates the airport which features a single 3600m runway. Vietnam Airlines is the long airline operator at Van Don with flights to Ho Chi Minh City.

According to the four companies, the MRO complex will be Vietnam’s largest when it opens in 2028. It will be capable of accommodating six aircraft – four widebody and two narrowbody jets. Around 1,000 jobs will be created which will also include around 200 foreign specialists.

“This project aims to respond to the growing demand for aircraft maintenance in Southeast Asia, while contributing to the development of Vietnam's aviation industry and strengthening the regional aviation value chain.”

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the country’s MRO market is projected to reach approximately USD $7.4 billion by 2030. However, domestic maintenance capacity has not kept pace with the growth of demand which has made the expansion of maintenance capabilities in Vietnam an urgent priority.

“This project aims to address such structural supply-demand gaps, while enhancing aircraft maintenance capabilities in Vietnam and increasing technical self-reliance.”