Madrid - The International Air Transport Association (IATA) identified four priorities to address persistent failures in the aerospace supply chain at the inaugural IATA World Maintenance and Engineering Symposium in Madrid:
1. Enhance supply chain visibility
2. Open up the aftermarket
3. Unlock the value of data, digitalization, and artificial intelligence (AI)
4. Build human capacity
Supply chain failures were a focal point at IATA’s recent Annual General Meeting. “The aircraft order backlog is over 18,000. And the average fleet age has reached a record 15.2 years. Moreover, being short over 5,000 more fuel-efficient replacement aircraft that airlines had counted on, means missed efficiency gains, not to mention higher lease rates and increased maintenance costs. In total, supply chain failures cost airlines at least $11 billion in 2025. Today’s higher fuel prices will only make that worse,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General in his Report on the Air Transport Industry.
“Alongside aircraft delivery delays, engine durability issues, shortages of materials and spare parts, and constrained maintenance capacity are disrupting airline operations. Addressing these challenges will require practical action and cooperation across the aviation value chain,” said Stuart Fox, IATA’s Director, Flight and Technical Operations. (....)