SIA, SIAEC, and A*STAR to manufacture aircraft, integrate AI in new joint labs

The labs boost aerospace manufacturing and analytics.

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore Airlines (SIA), and SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) launched two joint laboratories to manufacture aircraft cabin components and develop artificial intelligence for airline operations.

The first laboratory—managed with the A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology and launched in September 2025—will operate until 2030, according to a press release.

The facility focuses on producing business class seat components and aerospace-grade laminate sheets, with operations including robotic brake cleaning, wheel bearing inspection, and capacity planning.

A second laboratory—operational from October 2025 to 2028—develops generative artificial intelligence, applying analytics to maintenance planning and airline operations to detect disruptions and optimise workflows.

These laboratories built on an initial collaboration phase from 2019 to 2024, which produced 100,000 aircraft cabin components and reduced parts lead times by 30% to 50%.

The first phase included participation from 28 local small and medium enterprises, the press release said.