NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - United Airlines' heavy maintenance of its entire fleet of Boeing 777s will be handled by a Chinese firm for the next five years, an industry trade publication reported Tuesday.

Under the deal, Ameco Beijing will handle maintenance and repairs of United planes starting as early as October, according to a report published on the Web site of Flight International, an aerospace industry trade publication.

The deal, which is the largest North American contract secured by the Chinese firm, is estimated at more than $30 million, the publication reported.

Ameco Beijing, which was created by German airlines Lufthansa and Air China, currently handles maintenance for the Chinese air carrier.

The trade publication reported that maintenance work on United's 52 Boeing 777s will be carried out in Beijing.

The U.S. airline, which is currently emerging from bankruptcy, is expected to make as many as 80 maintenance visits over the course the contract.

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