ANA & HAECO Extend Boeing 777 Landing Gear Agreement Through 2030

Beneath the wings of a long-haul Boeing 777 touching down smoothly at Tokyo Haneda lies an assembly of over one thousand high-tensile components engineered to absorb hundreds of metric tons upon impact. On September 25, 2026, All Nippon Airways (ANA) and aircraft engineering leader HAECO renewed their long-standing aviation partnership through 2030 during the MRO Asia-Pacific summit, securing dedicated landing gear overhaul services for ANA’s flagship Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft and 777F cargo freighters at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport.

Sustaining Three Decades of Aerospace Collaboration Across East Asia

The agreement extends an industrial relationship that first began in 1997, spanning nearly thirty years of cross-border technical collaboration between Tokyo, Hong Kong, and mainland China. In June 2025, the two companies commemorated a historic operational milestone when HAECO accepted its 500th ANA aircraft input at its Xiamen facility, underscoring the sustained scale of maintenance operations supporting Japan’s premier international carrier.

ANA's emphasis on technical rigor helped the airline secure recognition in 2026 as one of the world’s Top 25 Safest Full-Service Airlines by AirlineRatings.com. The renewal entrusts HAECO Landing Gear Services with complete overhaul responsibilities across ANA’s Boeing 777 wide-body fleet. These wide-body aircraft form the backbone of Japan's premium intercontinental travel corridors, linking Tokyo with North American and European capitals through Japan National Tourism Organization gateway hubs.

Operating from a specialized 10,000-square-meter facility in Xiamen, HAECO provides landing gear maintenance for more than 30 international airline clients across 15 countries and territories. The facility holds technical certifications to service Boeing 747, 767, 777, and 787 airframes, alongside Airbus and Liebherr landing systems. According to Tsuyoshi Yazaki, Vice President of Supply-Chain Operations at ANA, and George Edmunds, Group Director of Components and Engine Services at HAECO, the multi-year contract through 2030 ensures high operational reliability for long-haul routes crossing the Pacific and Eurasian corridors.

What Makes Xiamen Distinct as a Maritime and Aviation Gateway

While Xiamen has earned an international reputation as one of Asia's primary aviation engineering centers, the city itself represents one of China’s most unique coastal cultural enclaves. Located on the southeastern coastline of Fujian Province across from Taiwan, Xiamen is an island city defined by subtropical sea breezes, banyan-shaded promenades, and centuries of maritime trading heritage.

Directly across the harbor lies the car-free island of Gulangyu, inscribed under the UNESCO World Heritage Centre for its historic international settlement architecture. Gulangyu features preserved 19th-century colonial consulates, red-brick southern Minnan courtyards, and a celebrated musical legacy that earned it the title of Piano Island. Walking through Gulangyu's narrow stone alleys reveals a peaceful acoustic environment where acoustic pianos and ocean waves replace motorized vehicle traffic entirely.

On the mainland, Xiamen balances high-tech aerospace corridors around Gaoqi Airport with centuries of Minnan heritage. Ancient fishing ports around Shapowei have transformed into creative artist enclaves, while the green peaks of Wanshi Botanical Garden frame sweeping views of the Taiwan Strait. This combination of advanced industrial capability and relaxed coastal living makes Xiamen a distinct destination for business travelers and cultural explorers alike.

Visitor Insider Tips for Exploring Xiamen and the Fujian Coast

Experiencing Xiamen requires understanding local transport connections, ferry booking windows, and regional culinary traditions.

Mastering the Ferry System to Gulangyu Island

Access to Gulangyu is strictly regulated to prevent overcrowding. Non-resident visitors must depart from the Xiamen International Cruise Center (Dongdu Ferry Terminal) rather than the downtown ferry wharf reserved for local residents. Advance online booking is mandatory during weekends and national holidays. Aim for departures around 08:30 to experience the morning light filtering through the colonial gardens before mid-day tour groups arrive.

Navigating the Coastal Boardwalks and Rail Links

Xiamen features one of China's most scenic urban greenways: the Island Ring Road (Huandao Road). Rent a bicycle at Baicheng Beach near Xiamen University and ride eastward toward the Hulishan Fortress and Zengcuo'an village. For onward travel across Fujian Province, the high-speed rail network from Xiamen North Railway Station connects passengers directly to the ancient tea plantations and sandstone cliffs of Mount Wuyi in under three hours. Regional travel itineraries are documented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China.

Neighborhood Bases for Travelers

If visiting for aviation or commercial business near Gaoqi Airport, base yourself in the northern Huli District for rapid terminal access. For cultural travelers and leisure visitors, stay in Siming District around the historic Shapowei Art Zone or near Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street, where historic arcade buildings (qilou) shelter independent tea houses, bookshops, and boutique hotels.

Local Minnan Gastronomy to Savor

Xiamen cuisine is celebrated for its delicate seafood preparations and subtle use of fermentation. Sample traditional shacha mian (satay noodle soup topped with fresh prawns, cuttlefish, and tofu puffs in a savory, aromatic broth), crispy oyster omelets (e-ah-jien), and steamed peanut soup (huasheng tang). In the late afternoon, participate in the local ritual of gongfu cha, slowly sipping high-mountain Wuyi rock tea or Anxi Tieguanyin oolong tea poured from miniature clay Yixing teapots.

Cultural and Environmental Context of the Fujian Seaboard

As one of the historic departure points for the Maritime Silk Road, Xiamen has long maintained international trade bridges connecting southern China with Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The ancestral homeland of millions of overseas Chinese, the city maintains deep architectural and familial connections across the global diaspora.

Modern Xiamen combines this outward-looking history with stringent environmental protection. The municipal government has invested heavily in coastal wetland restoration around Yundang Lagoon, transforming what was once an industrial estuary into a flourishing habitat for native white egrets—the official symbol of the city.

The ongoing expansion of aerospace engineering around Gaoqi Airport incorporates advanced eco-efficiency measures, including solar panel integration across industrial hangars, closed-loop water treatment facilities for heavy component washing, and energy-efficient aircraft taxi management. By pairing high-precision industrial maintenance with active coastal conservation, Xiamen demonstrates how major transport hubs can safeguard their local marine ecology while supporting international flight networks.

FAQ: Visiting Xiamen and Long-Haul Travel 2026

What is the best season to visit Xiamen and Fujian?

Autumn (October through December) is the most comfortable time to visit Xiamen, offering clear skies, mild temperatures, and minimal rainfall compared to the humid summer typhoon season.

How do international travelers reach Xiamen?

Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport connects directly with major Asian transit hubs, including Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, and Hong Kong, as well as domestic high-speed trains from Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Is Gulangyu Island accessible by cars or taxis?

No. Gulangyu Island is entirely pedestrianized. All motorized vehicles, including private cars, motorcycles, and standard bicycles, are prohibited to protect its historic architecture and peaceful atmosphere.

What currency and payment methods are used in Xiamen?

The Chinese Yuan (CNY) is used throughout the region. International credit cards can be linked to digital payment apps like Alipay and WeChat Pay for convenient mobile transactions across restaurants, taxis, and ferry terminals.

True precision in flight begins quietly on the ground, where ancient coastal ports nurture the engineering that carries travelers safely across oceans.