JAL starts construction of new landing gear maintenance factory at Haneda Airport

Japan Airlines (JAL) is starting the construction of a new factory within the Haneda Airport Maintenance District where maintenance on aircraft landing gear and other components will take place.

As part of JAL’s initiative to strengthen its landing gear maintenance capabilities, the airline will also form a new company named “Landing gear Innovation Factory Co., Ltd.” (LIF) which will hold the real estate related to the new factory. LIF is being established with capital worth JPY 5.1 million (~USD $31,830). Scheduled to be completed in the end of December 2027, the new factory will not only consolidate functions currently dispersed but will also introduce automated, labor-saving systems and new technology equipment being implemented in Japan for the first time.

Among its main functions to be done at the new factory will be the overhaul maintenance of landing gear (gear maintenance) which is done every 10 years by removing the gear from the aircraft. The process requires highly advanced expertise and specialized facilities, including plating, next-generation thermal spraying, painting, surface treatment, and non-destructive inspection technologies.

Gear maintenance will continue to be primarily conducted by JAL Engineering Co., Ltd (JALEC), which is responsible for aircraft maintenance across the JAL Group.

“JALEC and LIF will contribute to the safety of both Japanese and global flight operations, while also supporting the development of Japan's aviation industry.”

The JAL Group includes Japan Airlines (JAL), ZIPAIR Tokyo, and Jetstar Japan.