Boeing [NYSE: BA] has delivered its 100th 787 Landing Gear Exchange (LGE) unit, a significant milestone for a program designed to streamline maintenance for the Dreamliner fleet. The historic delivery was received by ANA, which has been a key partner in the initiative.
ANA has now installed landing gear components through the exchange program on 30 of its 787 aircraft. “The Landing Gear Exchange program has been instrumental in optimizing our maintenance operations and ensuring the highest levels of safety during our passengers’ journeys with us,” said Yukifumi Ueda, vice president and general manager, Engine, Component & Supply Chain, ANA. “This latest delivery demonstrates our strong partnership with Boeing and our commitment to providing exceptional, seamless service to our customers.”
The program operates on a capital-efficient model, allowing carriers to avoid the expense and complexity of purchasing and managing landing gear assets outright. Instead, Boeing provides certified, overhauled units on an exchange basis, minimizing aircraft downtime and preserving airline liquidity.
“This milestone reinforces our dedication to providing airlines with critical parts when and where needed to maximize fleet availability and strengthen operational resilience. By ensuring a reliable and efficient supply chain, we continue to drive measurable value for airline operations worldwide,” said William Ampofo, senior vice president, Parts & Distribution and Supply Chain, Boeing Global Services. “We are also investing in and expanding our exchange pool capacity to meet the growing needs of our customers as they begin their 787-9 overhaul cycle.”
Over the past two decades, the LGE program has grown into a preferred choice for operators globally. Boeing has contracted exchanges covering more than 480 787 aircraft from 34 airlines. The milestone with ANA arrives as the broader market prepares for an uptick in 787-9 overhaul cycles. In addition to ANA’s contracts covering its 787-8 and 787-9 fleets, Boeing has recently secured agreements with unnamed customers for a total of 65 exchanges.
By delivering forward exchanges of certified components, the program reduces green time loss, enabling airlines to focus on seamless service delivery rather than complex overhaul processes.
