Aviation Week's MRO Podcast

The packed MRO Middle East and AIME just wrapped up after a couple of bustling days. Aviation Week editors discuss some of the highlights, including widebodies, interiors and engines.

Insights from MRO Latin America in Panama—including what potential U.S. tariffs on the region could mean for aerospace manufacturing and workforce—as well as how airlines and MROs are building capacity in the region. With Aviation Week's Lee Ann Shay, Lindsay Bjerregaard and Lori Ranson. 

Listen in as Aviation Week editors James Pozzi, Jens Flottau and Lee Ann Shay discuss trends discussed at this week's Engine Leasing Trading & Finance and Aero-Engines Americas conferences in Fort Worth. Spoiler alert: there are lots of balancing acts.

Aviation Week editors Sean Broderick, James Pozzi and Lee Ann Shay discuss CFM Leap 1A and 1B engine developments, from newly certified blades that should be better suited to harsh environments to expanded aftermarket prospects, production ramp-up and engine spares.

Listen in as Aviation Week editors discuss what could be on the horizon for MRO in 2025, touching on turnaround times, AI and aircraft recycling, plus module swaps, parts approvals and more.

As D checks on older Boeing 787s ramp up, the first all-composite widebody's characteristics make it a unique proposition for MRO shops. Listen in to hear from Aviation Week's forecaster Daniel Williams and Guy Norris, who has covered the 787 program since its inception, as they discuss the airframe and break down the engine situation with host James Pozzi. Find out more about Aero-Engines Americas and secure your place here

James Pozzi, MRO Editor for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and Dan Williams, Director of Fleet Data Services, share insights from MRO Australasia 2024. They explore Australia's aviation recovery and the shift toward sustainable aircraft models. The discussion reveals Qantas's struggle with insourcing and Virgin Australia's reliance on outsourcing. They also tackle logistics challenges in parts supply, the necessity for tech advancements in MRO, and the implications of older aircraft remaining operational amid competitive pressures.

As the CFM Leap family of engines approaches 4,000 in-service engines, a figure forecasted to double by 2030, Aviation Week editors James Pozzi, Thierry Dubois and Lee Ann Shay discuss how the network is ramping up and how repair developments are pacing. Is it quick enough? What are Safran and GE doing differently than with the CFM56 support program?

At MRO Europe 2024 in Barcelona, the conversation buzzes around supply chain challenges and the pressing issues of parts availability and workforce dynamics. Experts delve into the transformative impact of AI in the maintenance sector and the aviation industry's sustainability efforts, contrasting European initiatives with those in other regions. The podcast also highlights the complexities of ESG reporting, aircraft certification pressures, and the critical role of data analytics in enhancing operational efficiency amid ongoing recovery challenges.

Robert Sumwalt, co-chair of the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition and former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, joins Lee Ann Shay to tackle the critical issue of unapproved aircraft parts. They discuss alarming incidents, like the TAP Air Portugal case involving counterfeit components. Sumwalt outlines the coalition's 13 strategic actions aimed at enhancing safety and accountability, emphasizing the importance of digitizing documentation and improving vendor accreditation. Collaboration is key to transforming aviation safety protocols!