Supply Chain Woes Force the MRO Industry Into a Perfect Storm
Aviation leaders are in the midst of a perfect storm, a convergence of trends conspiring against the MRO sector that are making it increasingly difficult to maintain and repair aircraft across the entire aviation industry—and hitting GA particularly hard.
Myriad factors are making repairs more and more difficult to make, and the aviation industry is feeling the crunch. [Credit: Adobe Stock]
Key Takeaways:
The aviation MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) sector is in a "perfect storm" due to a severe shortage of skilled technicians and widespread supply chain disruptions.
These challenges, exacerbated by the pandemic and a surge in aircraft demand, are causing significant backlogs for services like pre-purchase inspections and scheduled maintenance.
Supply chain issues affect critical components, including avionics (due to microchip shortages), rubber products, and even basic items like spark plugs, leading to extended aircraft grounding and dramatically increased costs.
Aircraft owners and operators must now plan maintenance significantly earlier and face substantially higher expenses, as the MRO workforce struggles with recruitment against competitive airline offers and a changing job market.
Aviation leaders are in the midst of a perfect storm, a convergence of trends conspiring against the MRO sector that are making it increasingly difficult to maintain and repair aircraft across the entire aviation industry—and hitting GA particularly hard.
Ryan Waguespack
And some believe that the storm may get even more severe before it subsides.
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Michael Wildes holds a master’s degree in Logistics & Supply Chain Management, and a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Science, both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Previously, he worked at the university’s flight department as a Flight Check Airman, Assistant Training Manager, and Quality Assurance Mentor. He holds MEI, CFI & CFII ratings. Follow Michael on Twitter @Captainwildes.
