Boeing and American Airlines have completed the first landing gear exchange for a Boeing 737 MAX.
Boeing is applying its existing “Landing Gear Exchange Program” to the aircraft type for the first time. Instead of purchasing and storing costly spare parts, the program provides overhauled, Boeing-certified landing gear. As the gear arrives ready for installation, it can reduce aircraft ground time and ease the burden of holding spare parts.
For this exchange, Boeing supplied overhauled and certified main landing gear and nose landing gear assemblies, along with installation kits. Wheels, tires and brakes were not included. The process, from technical overhaul and documentation to delivery, was validated, confirming that it can be applied consistently to the 737 MAX.
“By expanding the program to the 737 MAX, operators gain another proven option to reduce downtime, manage costs and align heavy maintenance with operational needs,” said William Ampofo, senior vice president of Boeing Global Services.
The company will expand its global overhaul capacity and work with certified MRO providers to broaden regional coverage and shorten lead times. In the near term, it will prioritize increasing exchange inventory for the 737 MAX, adding exchange slots near customers’ operating bases, and tracking operational metrics to quantify the benefits in downtime and cost.
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