Safran Landing Systems inaugurated a $22 million, 7,500-square-meter extension to its Singapore maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center on September 22, deepening the company's regional position in commercial landing-gear work for Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern operators.

The Singapore facility is Safran Landing Systems' key Asia-Pacific site for landing-gear overhauls and one of seven industrial facilities the company operates worldwide for airline and military customers. It sits among the few Asia-Pacific MRO sites certified to perform full landing-gear overhaul across Airbus, Boeing and ATR platforms, supporting both airlines and lessors.

What does the $22 million buy?

The new wing houses a dedicated landing-gear overhaul assembly line. Safran says the investment "increases capacity and flexibility to meet the evolving needs of major aircraft fleets" while supporting carriers across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. The company has not disclosed a specific annual ship-set target.

The center already handles the full overhaul chain: disassembly, inspection, machining, surface treatment, assembly and final certification. The expansion adds parallel capacity at the assembly stage, where bottlenecks typically drive shop-visit duration. For operators, shorter turnaround translates directly into fewer spare gear sets tied up in rotation and lower leasing exposure.

The move comes as Asia-Pacific carriers continue returning aircraft to higher utilization. More flight hours mean more frequent landing-gear overhauls, the heaviest scheduled maintenance event on a commercial aircraft, and one that increasingly shapes airline cash flow through spares provisioning.

Which fleets does the Singapore center cover?

The Singapore site certifies work on:

• Airbus A320 family, A330, A350 and A380
• Boeing 737 and 787
• ATR regional aircraft

That mix covers the narrowbody and widebody fleets flown by most Asia-Pacific flag carriers and low-cost operators, plus regional turboprops. Retaining A380 capability signals continued demand from operators and lessors still managing the type.

Who attended the inauguration?

Olivier Thomas, MRO Executive Vice President at Safran Landing Systems, opened the center alongside Stephen Marchisio, France's Ambassador to Singapore. The investment was supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB).

Cindy Koh, EDB Executive Vice President, said the expansion "brings advanced repair technologies to Singapore and adds to our comprehensive suite of MRO offerings."

François Bastin, CEO of Safran Landing Systems, called the inauguration "a proud milestone." He added: "This investment is a strong signal of Safran Landing Systems' trust in the region's potential and deepens our determination to support our airline customers, now and in the future, with ever higher standards of excellence and sustainability."

What does the expansion mean for staffing?

The Singapore site currently employs 360 staff. Safran intends to add a further 100 employees by 2030, lifting headcount to roughly 460. The ramp will need to track rising Asia-Pacific flight cycles as carriers push aircraft to higher utilization across narrowbody and widebody fleets.

Where does Singapore sit in Safran's network?

Including Singapore, Safran Landing Systems operates seven industrial sites worldwide for airline and military MRO. The Singapore facility remains the company's principal Asia-Pacific hub, with the new line intended to capture additional regional demand from Asia-Pacific and Middle East carriers.

The EDB support reflects Singapore's strategy to anchor high-value aerospace work in the region. The path from 7,500 square meters of new floor space to a 460-strong workforce by 2030 will hinge on whether Safran can win additional landing-gear contracts as Asia-Pacific and Middle East fleets continue to mature.