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 faces a severe supply chain crisis, driven by persistent component shortages, engine reliability issues (e.g., Pratt & Whitney PW1500G), and significant production backlogs for new aircraft.
Airlines are forced to extend the lifespan of existing fleets and adopt unconventional solutions, such as dismantling relatively new Airbus A220s for critical spare parts.
The Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) sector is overwhelmed by increased demand, exacerbating challenges due to skilled labor shortages and material scarcity like titanium.
Despite these constraints, the unprecedented supply-demand imbalance could reshape market dynamics and potentially boost airline profitability in the short term, though broader economic uncertainties remain.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.