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Aircraft engine maintenance times at historical high, Bain states

Airlines face their longest ever waits for engine upkeep with demand likely to peak in 2026, according to consultancy Bain, constraining carriers' development and including expenses amid a concurrent shortfall in brand-new aircraft.

A lack of parts, labour and new airplanes as air travel emerged from the pandemic has actually hit higher than anticipated repairs for brand-new generation engines, putting extreme pressure on maintenance, repair work and overhaul (MRO) suppliers.

Turnaround times for new-generation engines are 150% higher than pre-pandemic benchmark times, and 35% greater for legacy engine types, Bain stated in a report published on Thursday.

Adding to MRO demands, airlines experiencing hold-ups in new aircraft deliveries are not retiring older planes, which require complex maintenance and parts.

Aircraft engine MRO need is most likely to experience a. near-term peak in 2026 and stay constrained through the end of. the decade, stated Jim Harris, co-leader of Bain's international. Aerospace and Defense practice.

The next large surge in need from brand-new generation engines. will start towards completion of 2030, he stated.

The CEO of Malaysia-based MRO firm Asia Digital Engineering. ( ADE) told today his market was thriving, with ADE. set to open a new 14-line hangar in August.

Unless MRO companies act rapidly to close this capacity. space, airline companies will deal with higher costs to run constrained. fleets. The monetary concern, on top of growing expenses to. decarbonize flight, is likely to slow traveler travel. growth, Harris said.

Airlines have actually restricted choice in which engines power their. jets. Some aircrafts have one possible engine type, like the Boeing. 737 MAX, or more, like the Airbus A320neo.

Pratt & & Whitney, part of RTX, said last July a rare. powder metal problem might cause cracking of some engine. parts in the A320neo and called for accelerated. examinations, which airlines report can take up to practically a year. to complete because of waiting times.

Most current data from IBA Insight reveals 452 aircraft have actually been. grounded due to the problem, and 494 face future grounding.

Kane Ray, head of IBA's General Air travel and Aftermarket,. stated the engines likewise needed other retrofit and overhaul work.

Indian operator IndiGo said last month it had. agreed payment with Pratt & & Whitney.

Vietnam's aviation authority this month informed the nation's. airline companies to lease more airplane to make up for those grounded. due to engine issues.

(source: Reuters)