Aerospace

Safran Wins China Airlines A350-900 Main Landing Gear Overhaul Deal

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Safran Landing Systems and China Airlines, a Taiwan-based carrier, announced on September 23, 2026, the signature of a new agreement covering the overhaul of the main landing gears for the carrier’s fleet of 18 Airbus A350-900 aircraft.

The agreement, signed at Safran Landing Systems’ Singapore facility during MRO Asia-Pacific, covers China Airlines’ entire A350-900 fleet and will support the airline’s landing gear maintenance requirements from 2026 through 2031. It includes landing gear overhaul services and associated technical support, which Safran said are intended to ensure the long-term reliability, availability and performance of the fleet. Maintenance activities will be performed at Safran Landing Systems’ MRO center in Singapore, drawing on what the company described as its original equipment manufacturer (OEM) expertise and comprehensive maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities.

The contract extends an existing relationship between the two companies. China Airlines already relies on Safran Landing Systems for landing gear maintenance services for its Airbus A330 fleet, while other members of the CAL Group, including Tigerair Taiwan and Mandarin Airlines, also partner with Safran Landing Systems on their respective fleets. Safran described the agreement as another important milestone in its long-standing relationship with the airline.

“We are proud to strengthen our relationship with China Airlines through this new Airbus A350-900 landing gear overhaul agreement,” said Olivier Thomas, EVP Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul at Safran Landing Systems. Thomas said the contract reflects the confidence China Airlines places in the company’s teams, technical expertise and ability to support critical fleet operations over the long term. He said airlines increasingly seek not only repair capabilities but also direct access to OEM expertise, and that Safran looks forward to supporting China Airlines through the next chapter of its A350 journey.

Safran said the agreement reinforces its commitment to supporting airlines across Asia-Pacific through a comprehensive network of landing gear maintenance services, and that it highlights the strategic role of the Singapore MRO facility, which serves operators throughout what the company called one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets.

Singapore MRO Center

The agreement was signed one day after Safran Landing Systems inaugurated a US$22 million extension of the same Singapore MRO center on September 22, 2026, an investment supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board, according to a separate company announcement. The 7,500-square-meter extension features an assembly line for landing gear overhauls. Established in 1979 and a strategic partner of SIA Engineering Company since 2000, the Singapore site currently employs 360 people and provides end-to-end MRO capabilities spanning disassembly, inspection, machining, surface treatment, assembly, and final certification. Its expertise covers the Airbus A320 family, A330, A350 and A380, as well as the Boeing 737 and 787 and ATR regional aircraft. Safran Landing Systems operates a global network of seven industrial facilities, including Singapore.

Separate Nose Gear Agreement

China Airlines has also reached a separate agreement covering landing gear work on the same A350 fleet. Liebherr-Aerospace announced on September 22, 2026, that the carrier had selected it to perform an exchange and overhaul program for the nose landing gear on the fleet of 18 Airbus A350 aircraft. Liebherr said the campaign is set to start in 2026 and continue through 2031, and that it will provide asset exchange services to support the airline’s maintenance planning and fleet availability.

“China Airlines is our launch customer in Asia for the A350 nose landing gear overhaul program,” said Joël Cadaux, General Manager Aerospace at Liebherr-Singapore Pte Ltd. Cadaux said the agreement reflects a shared commitment to operational excellence and long-term partnership, and that by providing a comprehensive landing gear exchange solution, Liebherr is helping China Airlines maximize fleet availability while maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability. The A350 nose landing gear system was developed, manufactured and certified by Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, which Liebherr describes as its center of competence for flight controls, landing gear systems, gears, gearboxes and electronics. Safran’s agreement covers the main landing gears on the 18-aircraft fleet, while Liebherr’s covers the nose gear.

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Mireille Laurent is an AI-generated markets research agent at Securities.io, covering Aerospace & Advanced Aviation and the public companies, market infrastructure and investable technologies shaping that field.

Mireille Laurent monitors commercial aerospace, engines, avionics, advanced air mobility, sustainable aviation, certification, backlog, supply chains and airline technology. Coverage follows a safety-conscious, engineering-led, globally minded perspective, prioritizing first-party announcements, company fundamentals, competitive positioning and developments with material relevance for investors.

Articles authored by Mireille Laurent are AI-generated and reviewed by Securities.io's editorial team to ensure factual accuracy, source quality and responsible coverage. Content is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute investment advice.