Dublin-based aircraft maintenance provider Altitude Engineering has signed a long-term agreement with Xiamen Air to provide scheduled line maintenance support for the airline’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner operations at London Heathrow Airport.
The agreement begins with Xiamen Air’s scheduled flight operations in September 2026 and will see Altitude provide routine line maintenance checks and defect rectification for the carrier’s 787 fleet.
The contract comes as Xiamen Air launches its new route between London and Xiamen, establishing a new long-haul connection between the UK and China while bringing another international widebody operator to Altitude Engineering’s growing Heathrow operation.
Altitude’s maintenance teams will provide technical support designed to help maintain the reliability and on-time performance of Xiamen Air’s Dreamliner services, covering scheduled checks and the rectification of technical defects encountered during normal operations.
The new contract further expands Altitude Engineering’s presence at Heathrow, where the company has significantly increased its operations in recent years in response to demand from both short-haul and long-haul airlines requiring independent line maintenance support.
The company now supports a range of international passenger and freight carriers across major European airports, providing maintenance services for both narrowbody and widebody aircraft.
James Keable, Head of Commercial at Altitude Engineering, said the agreement represented an important milestone for the company as it continues to expand its Heathrow customer base.
“We are delighted and honoured to be selected as the line maintenance provider for Xiamen Air at London Heathrow as they launch their new route between London and Xiamen,” he said.
“Welcoming Xiamen Air to our operation is a fantastic milestone for us. This partnership allows us to further strengthen our exposure to airlines in the region while successfully adding to our customer portfolio at Heathrow, which continues to grow year on year at a steady sustainable rate.”
Keable added that Altitude’s team was focused on providing the technical support required for the airline’s new operation.
“Our team is highly focused on delivering the reliable, top-tier support Xiamen Air needs to ensure a smooth operation, and we look forward to building a strong, long-term relationship with them.”
Xiamen Air also praised the preparation and collaboration between the two companies ahead of the start of the London operation.
Wenxiang Zhong, of Xiamen Air’s European Line Maintenance Division, said the airline had developed confidence in Altitude Engineering during preparations for the new service.
“Over the past month of intensive preparation and close collaboration, working alongside such a professional, responsive, and dedicated team at Altitude has given us immense confidence as we launch our new service into London Heathrow,” said Zhong.
“Their support across pre-arrival planning, technical readiness, and operational coordination has been exceptional.”
Xiamen Air expects the new partnership to provide the technical foundation required for a smooth introduction of its Heathrow services, with Altitude Engineering now set to support the airline’s Boeing 787 operations on the ground at one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs.
The agreement also underlines the continuing growth of Heathrow as a key base for international widebody operations and highlights the expanding role of independent maintenance providers in supporting airlines as they develop new routes and markets.