As regional carriers readjust their maintenance needs and operations, a growing number of independent MROs are benefiting as new business comes their way.

Delta retrofit highlights cost benefits, concerns

Are airlines good at inventory demand planning? If you answered yes, why are operators ordering more parts on an aircraft-on-the-ground (AOG) basis? A number of people say the rising AOG orders are not correlated with problematic aircraft or engines that need new parts. In many cases, the need to receive parts via express delivery—in hours instead of several days or weeks—links to the fact that airlines generally hold less inventory, and suppliers can expedite deliveries.

Speaking of strain on systems, the Swissport baggage handlers went on strike, unannounced, at the Brussels Airport on May 12. I had the joy of experiencing this firsthand when I landed there for a connecting flight on May 13. I didn't learn of the strike until 15 min. before Brussels Airlines announced the boarding of my flight to Vilnius, Lithuania.

A group of airlines operating mostly brand new Boeing 777-300ERs powered by General Electric GE90-115Bs are either replacing entire engines or transfer gearboxes on individual units after GE alerted them to the potential for a gear separation.

Regional airlines are undergoing a period of change in everything from ownership and partner relationships to route systems and aircraft fleets, and this is helping trigger a shake-up of maintenance models.

The FAA’s repair station oversight process lacks the ability to identify risk, does not provide enough standardized inspection procedures, and is not training inspectors well enough to ensure they can use the tools they have, a government audit concludes.

The NTSB has issued an “urgent” procurement request to have a Maryland company perform computed tomography (CT) scans on as many as 48 Boeing 787 lithium-ion battery cells. “[The tests] must also be completed within the shortest timeframe possible to provide the fastest possible receipt of this information to avoid potential future accidents involving this type of aircraft battery,” says the NTSB in a “sources sought” notice published May 3. The 787 fleet is expected to return to commercial service later this month.