Evolving Worldwide MRO Trends For 2023

James Pozzi April 06, 2023
engine technician

Latin America

Credit: Lindsay Bjerregaard/Aviation Week
  • Remote geographical location and supply chain disruptions are extending MRO lead times.
  • Airlines and MROs are challenged by regional workers moving to North America for better pay.
  • Engine MRO is expected to grow more quickly than other segments in the region. 
Lufthansa Airbus A380

Western Europe

Credit: Lufthansa
  • The impact of the Russia-Ukraine war lingers, resulting in supply chain challenges and inflation woes.
  • Companies are adding capability in new areas such as specialist engine and component repairs, with plans to expand outside of Europe.
  • Capacity ramp-ups are being prioritized to beat post-pandemic challenges around slot availability.
aircraft in hangar

Eastern Europe

Credit: LOTAMS
  • The shortfall of MRO capability in airframes, engines and component repairs continues.
  • Domestic workforce shortages remain critical as the region’s MRO providers look to expand the pipeline of home-grown technical staff.
  • Saudi Arabia’s ambitious aviation program is expected to bring significant investment to new aircraft, infrastructure and services, including MRO, over the next decade.
  • Large-scale fleet modification plans are underway at flag carriers such as Emirates.
Emirates Engineer

Middle East

Credit: Emirates Engineering
  • Hangars in the region are becoming increasingly digitalized as several airlines in the region work to go paperless.
  • Independent and airline-affiliated MROs are considering further capability additions to meet demand in areas such as engines and components.
  • Strong maintenance demand for freighters is expected to grow in the region.
  • Parts availability, and factors such as delays in parts shipping, persist as ongoing challenges.
Asia Digital Engineer

Asia-Pacific

Credit: Asia Digital Engineering
  • Hangars in the region are becoming increasingly digitalized as several airlines in the region work to go paperless.
  • Independent and airline-affiliated MROs are considering further capability additions to meet demand in areas such as engines and components.
  • Strong maintenance demand for freighters is expected to grow in the region.
  • Parts availability, and factors such as delays in parts shipping, persist as ongoing challenges.
  • After an initial boon from a returning expatriate workforce at the beginning of COVID-19, the region is again seeking methods to address critical technician shortages.
RwandAir engineers

Africa

Credit: RwandAir
  • Established African MROs may look to partner or add specializations to serve the region better.
  • Maintenance costs remain higher for African carriers than the global average due to  infrastructure constraints.
  • Greater emphasis is expected on regional collaboration among African airlines, MROs and aviation regulators.
aircraft

China

Credit: ST Engineering
  • The country’s reopening has boosted the global MRO market, but adjusting to the post-pandemic environment in areas such as line maintenance likely will take longer than elsewhere.
  • Recently announced partnerships and joint ventures are expected to pick up momentum.
  • Chinese certification of the Comac C919, ATR 42 and Embraer 190-E2 last year is anticipated to result in new orders and more MRO opportunities.
  • Further additions are forecast to passenger-to-freighter conversion sites in China.
Spicejet.com technician

India

Credit: GMR Aero Technic
  • More domestic aftermarket capability is sought in new partnerships with Western OEMs and MROs.
  • Indian MROs will target third-party growth both domestically and in neighboring regions.

With the global MRO industry cautiously optimistic about its prospects this year, here is a look at the key commercial aftermarket trends and drivers in each global region in 2023. These include coping with ongoing supply chain and workforce constraints, continued growth for engine MRO providers adding capacity and additional joint ventures and consolidations.

James Pozzi

As Aviation Week's MRO Editor EMEA, James Pozzi covers the latest industry news from the European region and beyond. He also writes in-depth features on the commercial aftermarket for Inside MRO.