Urgent Push: Why Major Airlines Like American are Desperately Scrambling to Extend Engine Lifespans
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, the aviation industry faces significant challenges, including parts and labor shortages, delayed aircraft deliveries from Boeing and Airbus, an engine recall, and premature repairs. These issues have led to overcrowded aircraft engine shops globally. As travel demand surged this summer, airline executives anxiously awaited engine repairs and overhauls, a sector that has ballooned from a $31 billion pre-pandemic business to a $58 billion industry in 2023, per Alton Aviation Consultancy. This boom benefits major engine makers like GE Aerospace and smaller service specialists.
American Airlines has responded by ramping up its in-house repair efforts. At its extensive maintenance facility at Tulsa International Airport, American aims to increase engine overhauls by 60% this year, reaching over 16 engines monthly. Efforts focus on CFM56 engines, which power Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 jets, crucial to American’s fleet of 960 aircraft.
The delay in maintenance results from the pandemic’s impact, which saw a reduction in skilled labor and a surge in maintenance demands as travel rebounded. Compounding the issue, Boeing and Airbus struggle with supply chain disruptions, further delaying new aircraft deliveries and forcing airlines to maintain their older planes longer, increasing the frequency of engine overhauls.
Additionally, newer, hotter-running engines require earlier-than-expected maintenance, intensifying the workload for engine shops. The high demand for engine overhauls has created a profitable market for engine makers, with GE Aerospace reporting significant revenue from maintenance services.
Rental rates for replacement engines have surged, with steep increases for both older models like the CFM56 and newer aircraft engines. Leasing companies like AerCap and Avolon are capitalizing on the high demand for spare engines. Despite these efforts, the scarcity of engine shop availability persists, highlighting the industry’s struggle to meet the rising demand for aircraft engine maintenance.
Original Story https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/04/airplane-engines-repairs.html
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