Airlines Forced to Get Creative With Parts Due to Supply Chain Crisis

Some newer aircraft are being torn down for parts.

Keller Laseter

Thursday, May 01, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Delta TechOps in Atlanta [AirlineGeeks/William Derrickson]

Key Takeaways:

The commercial aviation industry is navigating a severe supply chain crisis, compelling airlines and lessors to adopt unconventional strategies, such as dismantling relatively new aircraft for spare parts.
This crisis is fueled by persistent reliability issues with specific engines (e.g., Pratt & Whitney PW1500G), dramatic production backlogs for new aircraft (up to a decade for narrowbodies), and shortages of essential aerospace materials.
The extended lifespan of existing aircraft has increased demand on the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector, which is struggling with significant skilled labor shortages and prolonged maintenance downtimes.
Despite these operational challenges, industry observers suggest the supply deficits could lead to increased airline profitability in the short term, though broader economic uncertainties and geopolitical instability remain significant risks.

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The commercial aviation industry is navigating a serious supply chain crisis, leading airlines and aircraft lessors to adopt innovative strategies to maintain operational readiness.

Recently, aircraft lessor Azorra partnered with Delta Material Services (DMS) to dismantle an Airbus A220-300 for spare parts, marking the first such occurrence for this relatively new aircraft model. Although dismantling modern aircraft is uncommon, this situation underscores the severity of the ongoing component shortage.