Japan Airlines (JAL) has begun construction of a new landing gear maintenance factory within the Haneda Airport Maintenance District in Tokyo.
Construction started on May 19, 2026, with the facility expected to be completed by the end of December 2027.
The new construction, which was announced on June 8, 2026, will be supported by a newly established company called Landing Gear Innovation Factory (LIF), set up on the same day to hold the real estate associated with the factory.
What landing gear maintenance involves
Landing gear is essentially an aircraft’s legs: the components that support the plane during takeoff, landing, and taxiing.
Overhauling landing gear is a major undertaking. It happens roughly once every 10 years and requires the gear to be physically removed from the aircraft. The work involves highly specialized processes including plating, next-generation thermal spraying, painting, surface treatment, and non-destructive inspection.
JAL has been performing this type of maintenance on large aircraft for more than 50 years and is considered one of the leading landing gear maintenance operations in the world.
What the new factory will do
JAL said that the new facility will bring together functions that are currently spread across different locations into a single site. It will also introduce automated and labor-saving systems, along with new technology equipment being used in Japan for the first time.
The carrier also said the factory is designed to address three priorities: passing on expert technical skills to the next generation, improving quality and production efficiency through consolidation and modern equipment, and reducing environmental impact by building an eco-friendly facility.
Landing gear maintenance will continue to be carried out primarily by JAL Engineering Co. (JALEC), the JAL Group company responsible for aircraft maintenance. JAL said that together, JAL, JALEC, and LIF will support both domestic and global flight safety while contributing to the broader development of Japan’s aviation industry.
The new factory is part of JAL’s effort to strengthen its maintenance capabilities and position itself as a next-generation hub for landing gear overhaul work amid growing global demand for aircraft maintenance services.
