ST Engineering’s China Cargo Hub MRO Hits Capacity In First Year, Eyes Expansion

ST Engineering Aerospace (Hubei) Aviation Services has been ramping up capabilities since opening its greenfield MRO on Aug. 11, 2025, at China’s first dedicated cargo airport.

The joint venture between cargo operator SF Airlines and ST Engineering inducted the first aircraft—a Boeing 767 from SF—on Aug. 12, 2025, and has since redelivered 20 aircraft. It plans to induct SF Airlines’ first batch of 757s in October.

The facility at Ezhou Huahu International Airport has received approved maintenance organization certifications from U.S. and Uzbekistan aviation authorities for 757s and 767s, and from Georgia for the 767. Later this year. it expects to receive maintenance approval from the European Union.

“Between May and June 2026, we successfully completed and redelivered three aircraft for Uzbekistan’s My Freighter, comprising two 767s and one 757 aircraft, and are performing a 767 maintenance check for Georgia’s Camex Airlines,” says the company.

The MRO received approval in early May to operate a bonded warehouse at its facility, which enables “more efficient storage, customs handling and deployment of aircraft parts and materials.” Reducing parts logistics delays and costs supports faster turnaround times, it says.

The existing hangar holds three aircraft—two widebodies and one narrowbody—and is at full capacity, with a combination of SF Airlines and other passenger and cargo carriers’ aircraft.

The joint MRO plans to double its capacity by opening a second hangar, which also can simultaneously accommodate two widebody and one narrowbody aircraft, in the third quarter of 2027.

It has space to operate up to four hangars if demand warrants.

ST Engineering holds a 60% stake in the joint venture and SF Airlines retains 40%.

Shenzhen-based SF Airlines operates Boeing 737, 747, 757 and 767 aircraft, according to Aviation Week Fleet Discovery.