JAL – Japan Airlines (JL, Tokyo-Haneda) will explore a possible collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. in the aircraft spare parts business. The parties say the partnership will leverage JAL’s experience as a global aircraft operator and Mitsubishi’s experience as an aircraft manufacturer and MRO service provider, and is designed to address many of the issues affecting the spare parts sector.
“With the recovery in aircraft demand worldwide, the need for maintenance services has also increased. JAL and Mitsubishi have begun to explore cooperation in this area to respond to the various issues currently affecting the aircraft spare parts market,” said a JAL statement on August 27. “Within the JAL Group, the joint exploration of cooperation will be carried out by JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. in the future.”
According to ch-aviation PRO Airlines, Japan Airlines flies to 92 airports in 22 countries with a fleet of 198 aircraft, including five A350-1000s, fifteen A350-900s, forty-five B737-800s, twenty-five B767-300ERs, two B767-300ERs(BCF), one B777-200, thirteen B777-300ERs, twenty-three B787-8s, twenty-two B787-9s, eighteen E170s, fourteen E190s (the Embraer jets of subsidiary J-Air), as well as thirteen ATR42-600s and two ATR72-600s (operated by subsidiaries HAC – Hokkaido Air System and Japan Air Commuter). Other JAL Group subsidiaries that will benefit from the collaboration include Jetstar Japan, JTA – Japan Transocean Air, Spring and ZIPAIR.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is active in several industries, including aviation. The company manufactures components for various aircraft types, including the B737, B767, B777, B787, and Bombardier 5000 and 6000. It is also involved in the manufacture of engine components and various aviation-related equipment, and has an extensive MRO business. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was also behind the ill-fated SpaceJet program. After years of financial losses and development delays, the company terminated this project to produce civil aircraft in early 2023.
