Successful completion of Hangar 1's steel structure roof sets new records

HAECO, a leading global provider of aircraft maintenance and engineering solutions, celebrated the successful roof closing ceremony of Hangar 1 at its new maintenance base yesterday. This momentous event signifies a significant milestone for HAECO’s state-of-the-art civil aviation maintenance base in the Chinese Mainland. The new facility, currently under construction at Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport, is poised to become the largest single-span aircraft maintenance hangar in the world and is scheduled to commence operations by 2026.

Situated at the north side of the airport, the expansive aircraft maintenance facility covers a vast area of 537,300 square metres, with a building area of approximately 292,300 square metres. The hangar structure consists of two core components - Hangar 1 and Hangar 2, which together form a comprehensive steel structure weighing nearly 30,000 tonnes. The roof of Hangar 1, an impressive steel structure, weighs a remarkable 11,393 tonnes and boasts a door truss measuring 269.5 metres wide – the widest in the world. Lifting the roof, a task requiring meticulous precision, necessitated the use of 54 hydraulic machines and a process lasting 8 hours through a sophisticated control system. After hours of lifting, the steel roof was elevated by 27 metres, ultimately reaching the designated height of 42.5 metres for the completion of the roof closure.

"The design and construction of our new state-of-the-art MRO facility in Xiamen reflects our commitment to safety, while also prioritising quality, operating efficiency, and sustainable development. We are dedicated to providing airline customers with the highest quality products and services," said Summit Chan, Group Director of Corporate Development at HAECO. "We firmly believe that this investment not only yields long-term benefits for our stakeholders, but also enables us to actively contribute to our sustainability efforts. As HAECO's largest single infrastructure investment to date, this project showcases our commitment to expand our capabilities and contribute to the overall advancement of the aviation industry."

As HAECO’s latest maintenance facility and its largest infrastructure investment, the new hangar combines innovation, environmentally friendly design, and advanced technology to optimise energy utilization and operational efficiency. The building features a prominent "central axis" that runs through and connects the hangar with its ancillary buildings, facilitating seamless logistics management and resources sharing. Furthermore, the facility incorporates a range of innovative sustainability features, including solar energy panels, intelligent building management systems, smart lighting control, water-cooled air conditioning systems, as well as advanced wastewater and emissions treatment, with the aim of achieving a LEED-NC (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction) Gold certification. The facility can accommodate 12 wide-body aircraft and 6 narrow-body aircraft, with two spray paint shops and flexible spaces to accommodate various aircraft types.

The successful installation of the roof marks a significant milestone in the construction of the hangar’s steel structure, projected to be completed by July 2024. Subsequently, the project will progress to mechanical and electrical fittings, interior renovations, and the construction of the enclosure structure, anticipated to conclude by November 2025. These efforts aim to ensure that the facility is fully operational upon the opening of the Xiamen Xiang’an International Airport in 2026.

Download video of roof closing here.

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About HAECO Group 
HAECO Group is one of the world’s leading aircraft engineering and maintenance service providers. We provide a comprehensive range of solutions encompassing airframe services, line services, inventory technical management, component overhaul, aerostructure repairs, landing gear services, engine services, global engine support, parts manufacturing and technical training. HAECO Group comprises 16 operating companies, employing around 15,000 staff in Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Europe and the Americas. Learn more at www.haeco.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter for the latest updates.