Press Release
Launch of Jointly Developed System to Accelerate DX for Aircraft Engine Inspections
―Building a Standard Platform for Engine Inspection and Data Utilization
for Predictive Maintenance―
（Joint Release）
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
JAL Engineering Co., Ltd.
CRESCO LTD.
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-Ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Mitsuko Tottori; hereafter "JAL"), JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ota-Ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takashi Hamamoto; hereafter "JALEC"), and CRESCO LTD. (Headquarters: Minato-Ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroshi Tominaga; hereafter "CRESCO") have jointly developed and launched an image analysis system that streamlines the recording and analysis of borescope inspections for aircraft engines.
This system automatically extracts images of each individual turbine blade from videos taken during borescope inspections and centrally manages them in the cloud. This enables time-series comparison with past inspection data as well as automatic recognition and indication of damages, which is expected to improve maintenance quality and work efficiency. Furthermore, it visualizes the expertise of experienced veteran mechanics, contributing to the transfer of skills to younger technicians.
By combining the accumulation of inspection image data with engine data obtained during operation, early detection of potential failures will be supported, aiming to realize predictive maintenance. This approach differs from conventional scheduled or corrective maintenance by enabling data-driven assessment of maintenance necessity and timing, directly contributing to enhanced aircraft safety and operational quality.
The system was developed based on joint research between the JAL Group and CRESCO since 2019, evolving the borescope inspection support tool into a web application. Going forward, JALEC, the central organization responsible for aircraft maintenance within the JAL Group, will continue data accumulation and advanced analysis to enable precise assessment of failure risks and optimization of maintenance planning, ultimately providing a foundation for safer and more efficient engine operation.
JALEC will further strengthen the analysis and utilization of engine internal inspection data to achieve the safety philosophy of "0-0-100" (zero irregular operations, zero inflight failures, 100% on-time departures).
JAL, JALEC, and CRESCO will continue to integrate maintenance site expertise with digital technologies to uphold safety flight operations and advance aviation safety.
■ Comments from the two companies
Naoto Hanai, Vice President, Engine Maintenance Center, JALEC
"At JALEC, efforts are ongoing day and night to ensure safe and secure flights for customers to use JAL flights with peace of mind. Among aircraft components, engines operate under harsh conditions, making condition monitoring a critical point. This system jointly developed with strong support from CRESCO is a highly reliable asset enabling more appropriate and effective internal engine monitoring by leveraging digital technology. By maximizing the use of this tool, we aim to operate aircraft with even higher quality."
Takayuki Teramura, Managing Executive Officer, CRESCO LTD.
“As an advanced application of our long-standing strengths in image analysis and AI technologies, we have been advancing this joint research in collaboration with JALEC. By integrating our deep knowledge of rapidly evolving AI technologies with the SI (System Integrator) expertise we have cultivated over many years, we successfully accelerated the research and brought the system into operation. We are truly honored to contribute, through this system, to the advancement of DX at JAL, a company at the forefront of the global aviation industry.”
About Japan Airlines:
Japan Airlines (JAL), Japan’s first private aviation company, was established in 1951 and is a member of the oneworld® Alliance. The airline operates a fleet of 232 aircraft (as of March 2025) and began renewing its international long-haul aircraft with the Airbus A350-1000 starting 2023 Winter Schedule. Together with other JAL Group and partner airlines, JAL offers an extensive domestic and international network that serves 395 airports across 68 countries/regions. The airline has received numerous accolades for its exceptional service, including being recognized as a certified 5-Star Airline by Skytrax and being awarded the prestigious "World Class" Airline title by APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association. The airline is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of flight safety and overall service quality, striving to be the most preferred airline by customers worldwide.
For details and to learn more, visit JAL's official website at https://www.jal.com/en/
About CRESCO:
CRESCO is an independent “system integrator” established in 1988. We operate two main businesses: “IT Services”, which provides comprehensive services including consulting, system design, development, and maintenance for companies across a wide range of industries such as transportation, staffing services, finance, and manufacturing; and “Digital Solutions”, which offers products and services that primarily support the realization of digital transformation (DX), including cloud and RPA solutions. Through these businesses, we aim to become a strategic partner that co-creates value with our customers and drives mutual growth, realizing a “stimulating future”.
https://www.cresco.co.jp/
