Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are considering cooperation in the aircraft spare parts business

Japan Airlines (JAL) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are considering a strategic partnership to optimize the aircraft spare parts market. This potential cooperation could not only address the challenges in the maintenance and spare parts sector, but also have far-reaching effects on the aviation industry. The move comes at a time of increasing demand for aircraft maintenance and service, especially following the global recovery of the aviation industry after the COVID-19 pandemic.

On August 27, 2024, Japan Airlines announced that it would explore the possibility of collaborating with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The focus of this partnership is on the aircraft spare parts business, an area characterized by complex logistical and technical challenges. The cooperation is intended to combine the strengths of both companies: JAL brings extensive experience as a global aircraft operator, while Mitsubishi Heavy Industries acts as a renowned aircraft manufacturer and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) service provider.

“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,” Japan Airlines said in a press release. The joint review of this cooperation will be led by JAL Engineering Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan Airlines that specializes in technical support and maintenance services.

Japan Airlines is one of Asia’s largest airlines, serving 92 airports in 22 countries with a comprehensive fleet of 198 aircraft. This fleet includes modern aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, as well as a variety of regional jets such as the Embraer E170 and E190. The JAL Group, which also includes subsidiaries such as Jetstar Japan, Japan Transocean Air and ZIPAIR, is expected to benefit from the results of this partnership.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a heavy industry conglomerate, is also heavily involved in the aviation industry. The company produces components for a variety of aircraft types, including the Boeing 737, 767, 777, and 787, as well as Bombardier aircraft. In addition, Mitsubishi is active in the manufacture of engine components and other aviation-related equipment. Despite these extensive activities, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries had to discontinue the SpaceJet program, a project to develop a new regional airliner, in early 2023 due to financial difficulties and development delays.

The planned cooperation between JAL and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries could represent a significant response to the existing challenges in the spare parts market. This market is currently facing problems such as supply shortages, high costs and complicated logistics processes. By combining JAL’s operational expertise and Mitsubishi’s technological know-how, these challenges could potentially be met more efficiently.

The cooperation could not only relieve the pressure on the spare parts market, but also help improve maintenance quality and efficiency. For Japan Airlines, this would mean that the aircraft in the fleet can be maintained more reliably, which could ultimately reduce operating costs and increase aircraft safety.

For Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, this partnership represents an opportunity to further strengthen its position in the global aviation market and to leverage its extensive experience in the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) sector to develop new business areas.

In summary, the potential partnership between Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries could have far-reaching implications for the aviation industry. The cooperation represents a strategic step to address the challenges in the aircraft spare parts business and could serve as a model for future cooperation in the industry.