Safran Landing Systems has secured a contract to overhaul the main landing gears on China Airlines’ entire fleet of 18 Airbus A350-900s, extending a key maintenance relationship in Asia-Pacific through 2031.
Safran wins China Airlines A350 landing gear contract
The deal matters because landing gear overhauls are a high-value, long-cycle maintenance activity that can lock in aftermarket revenue for years after an aircraft is delivered. For Safran, the contract deepens its MRO footprint in a region where airline fleets are still recovering utilization and carriers are pushing harder to outsource specialized heavy maintenance to original equipment manufacturers.
The work will be carried out between 2026 and 2031, and the agreement was signed at Safran Landing Systems’ Singapore facility, underscoring the company’s regional servicing strategy. China Airlines operates 18 A350-900s, giving Safran a clear fleetwide mandate rather than a one-off repair job.
For investors, the announcement reinforces the value of aerospace aftermarket businesses, which typically carry steadier margins than new aircraft manufacturing because they are tied to fleet age, utilization and mandated maintenance cycles. It also highlights how Airbus widebody operators in Asia are increasingly relying on global suppliers with local engineering and repair capabilities to reduce downtime and logistics costs.
Safran has been building out its Asia-Pacific maintenance network as long-haul traffic in the region normalizes and airlines prioritize aircraft availability over capex-heavy fleet expansion. The contract also points to the durability of the A350 platform, which continues to generate recurring service demand as operators move deeper into the aircraft’s maintenance cycle.
The next catalyst for Safran’s aviation services business will be additional fleet agreements in Asia and broader airline maintenance spending trends heading into 2027, especially if widebody utilization stays strong.
| Entity | Gains | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| Safran Landing Systems | ▲Recurring MRO revenue | ▼Less room for rivals |
| China Airlines | ▲Fleet support and uptime | ▼Higher long-term maintenance spend |
| Airbus A350 ecosystem | ▲Aftermarket demand | ▼None immediate |
| Competing MRO providers | ▲None immediate | ▼Lost fleet access |