Japan Airlines (JAL) and Safran have signed a comprehensive nine-year “Support By the Hour” (SBH) contract covering up to 35 Airbus A350-900 and A350-1000 aircraft. Services began on January 1, 2026.
The agreement is a first of its kind, bringing together four Safran companies — Safran Landing Systems, Safran Electronics & Defense, Safran Electrical & Power, and Safran Ventilation Systems — under a single contract to provide a complete turnkey support solution for Japan Airlines’ Airbus A350 fleet.
Under the SBH arrangement, Safran will deliver a full spectrum of tailored services, including maintenance, repair, component pooling, logistics management, and dedicated local support in Tokyo. Safran will also oversee on-site logistics and transportation, ensuring components are collected and returned to JAL’s facilities by a dedicated local team.
By leveraging real-time data, advanced analytics and digital integration, the programme will help anticipate maintenance requirements, improve component availability and reduce unscheduled events. This will maximise reliability and ensure JAL’s A350 fleet continues operating at peak performance.
“We are pleased to have concluded an agreement with Safran regarding parts maintenance for the A350,” said Kyohei Takizawa, Vice President, Aircraft and Engineering Procurement at Japan Airlines. “The A350 is one of our main aircraft, and ensuring its on-time performance remains a major challenge. Through this agreement, we will strengthen the partnership between JAL and Safran, support the A350’s punctual operation and aircraft quality, and provide better services to our passengers.”
