The market for component repairs remains exceptionally busy. The global fleet has grown at more than 3% CAGR over the past three years, while the average aircraft age is now around 15 years and about 17,000 aircraft remain in the order backlog.  

 

"More aircraft flying and older aircraft remaining in service naturally translates into higher component repair demand," says AJW's Chief Commercial Officer. 

 

He adds that repair economics are changing too. Components that may once have been considered beyond economical repair are increasingly being repaired, overhauled, or managed differently. But the challenge extends beyond the repair shop. Airlines need sufficient inventory to maintain fleet availability while components move through the repair cycle, making inventory, repair capability, and resilient supply chains increasingly interconnected. 

 

The component MRO market is also balancing the needs of mature and next-generation fleets. While considerable focus is placed on newer aircraft programmes, many airlines continue to rely heavily on aircraft remaining in service longer than expected. For MRO providers, that means having the capability, inventory, and technical knowledge to support both at the same time. 

 

For independent providers such as AJW Group, Symington sees an opportunity to give airlines greater choice. "Airlines are increasingly looking beyond traditional OEM support models and seeking partners that can offer additional repair capacity, alternative pathways, greater flexibility, and access to inventory," he explains.

 

AJW has expanded its component support with 40 additional product lines across mature and next-generation platforms, while continuing to invest in digital tools and data analytics. "MRO providers need the capability and expertise to work on both mature and next-generation aircraft simultaneously," Symington adds. AJW's in-house inventory optimisation platform, Apollo, combines probabilistic modelling with data from PBH programmes, fleet plans, and live sales and trading demand to support stock positioning and component availability across the Group’s global network. 

 

For operators, the challenge is no longer simply deciding whether a component is worth repairing. The wider question is how that repair fits into the operation and what is needed to keep the aircraft supported while the unit is off-wing. 

 

Scott explores this broader view of component maintenance in the latest issue of Airliner World, looking at how the market is changing and where repair can continue to deliver value for operators. 

 

 

Looking for a more flexible approach to component support? Discover how AJW can support your component repair requirements.