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Airbus Forecasts Need For 2.44 Million Aviation Professionals Over Next 20 Years

Aviation Forecast

Airbus Forecasts Need For 2.44 Million Aviation Professionals Over Next 20 Years

Aviation Today News Desk / October 15, 2026

Toulouse, France: Airbus estimates that the aviation industry will need a cumulative total of 730,000 maintenance technicians, 660,000 pilots and

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Boeing Forecasts Africa’s Commercial Aircraft Fleet To More Than Double By 2045

Aviation Today News Desk / September 4, 2026

Nairobi, Kenya: Africa’s commercial airplane fleet is expected to be more than double, from 755 aircraft to 1,625 by 2045,

IATA Warns Engine MRO Crisis Could Worsen As Single-Aisle Fleets Expand SEO DES: IATA-Emerton found 648 GTF-powered aircraft, 28% of the fleet, were grounded in March 2025, with maintenance pressures expected to grow further SOCIAL: IATA has warned that growing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) bottlenecks for next-generation aircraft engines are disrupting airline operations worldwide, with spare parts shortages and limited repair capacity causing aircraft groundings. A new IATA-Emerton study found that 648 Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered aircraft, about 28% of the global fleet, were grounded at the peak of the crisis in March 2025. The organization expects maintenance pressures to increase as deliveries of LEAP and GTF engines continue to rise. To address the issue, IATA is calling for faster repair approvals, greater spare parts availability, expanded MRO capacity and increased access for independent maintenance providers to strengthen supply chain resilience and reduce operational disruptions. Madrid, Spain: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that growing bottlenecks in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of next-generation aircraft engines are placing increasing pressure on airlines worldwide, urging immediate industry-wide action to prevent further disruption as global fleets continue to expand. The warning accompanies a new study released by IATA in partnership with consulting firm Emerton, titled Single Aisle Aircraft Engines MRO: Strategic Levers to Address Supply Chain Challenges. The report examines the mounting challenges affecting the maintenance ecosystem for the latest-generation single-aisle aircraft engines, particularly CFM International's LEAP engine family and Pratt & Whitney's Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines. According to the study, a combination of engine durability concerns, shortages of spare parts, limited availability of spare engines and restricted access to the aftermarket repair sector has significantly disrupted airline operations. The resulting pressures have reduced engine time on wing, increased demand for engine shop visits and complicated maintenance planning for carriers across the globe. The report highlights the scale of the challenge by pointing to the Pratt & Whitney GTF fleet, where the number of grounded aircraft reached a peak in March 2025. At that time, 648 GTF-powered aircraft equivalent to approximately 28% of the global GTF fleet were out of service while awaiting maintenance slots, replacement engines or critical spare parts. Airlines affected by the disruptions were forced to modify fleet strategies by retaining older aircraft longer than planned, extending existing lease agreements, securing additional leased aircraft and adjusting operational capacity. IATA cautioned that the problem is likely to intensify over the coming decade as airlines continue to take delivery of large numbers of fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft. In 2024 alone, manufacturers delivered approximately 2,000 single-aisle engines, including around 800 GTF engines and 1,200 LEAP engines. Between 2030 and 2040, annual deliveries are expected to remain at roughly 3,700 engines per year, consisting of approximately 1,200 GTF engines and 2,500 LEAP engines annually. As these fleets grow, engine maintenance requirements are expected to increase dramatically. The study forecasts annual LEAP engine shop visits will rise from roughly 600–800 visits in 2025 to more than 5,000 by 2040. For Pratt & Whitney's GTF engines, annual shop visits are projected to increase from approximately 1,000 in 2025 to over 2,000 by 2040. Commenting on the findings, Willie Walsh, IATA's Director General, said current MRO constraints are already affecting airline operations and warned that the situation will worsen without significant structural changes. While engine manufacturers are investing in additional maintenance capacity, Walsh stressed that capacity expansion alone will not solve the problem. Instead, airlines require improved access to spare parts, a wider range of approved repair solutions, fair access to maintenance capacity and greater competition within the aftermarket sector. To address the crisis, the study identifies several strategic actions that stakeholders across the aviation value chain can implement. One recommendation focuses on increasing the availability of engine components. The report calls for accelerated development and regulatory approval of repair solutions that can reduce component scrappage rates. It also advocates expanding licensed production of critical parts and increasing access to used serviceable material recovered from engine teardowns. Another priority is improving access to the MRO market by removing barriers that limit participation by independent maintenance providers. IATA argues that third-party MRO companies should have fair access to parts, repair information and specialized tooling needed to expand maintenance capacity. The association pointed to its agreement with CFM International, originally signed in 2018 and renewed in January 2026, as an example of a framework that supports customer choice, regulator-approved non-OEM parts and repairs, and equitable access for independent MRO providers. The report also urges airlines and lessors to incorporate long-term spare parts access provisions into future aircraft and engine acquisition agreements. Such arrangements would help provide predictable pricing and ensure that operators can transfer access rights to their preferred maintenance providers, including independent MRO organizations. In addition, IATA is calling on original equipment manufacturers across the engine, airframe and component sectors to adopt transparent and competitive aftermarket practices. These measures would support customer choice and facilitate the use of regulator-approved alternative parts and repair solutions. The association emphasized that solving the problem will require coordinated action from airlines, aircraft manufacturers, engine manufacturers, lessors and maintenance providers. According to IATA, improving parts availability, expanding repair options and aligning maintenance capacity more closely with airline operational requirements are essential to strengthening supply chain resilience. Walsh noted that addressing today's disruptions remains the industry's immediate priority but argued that long-term resilience will depend on creating a more transparent, competitive and collaborative aftermarket environment. He said the relationship between aircraft manufacturers and engine manufacturers must evolve to better support operational resilience throughout an aircraft's lifecycle, ultimately helping airlines return engines to service more quickly and reducing avoidable operational disruptions. The findings were released during IATA's inaugural World Maintenance and Engineering Symposium in Madrid, where the organization has been highlighting broader aviation supply chain challenges facing the global industry.

IATA Warns Engine MRO Crisis Could Worsen As Single-Aisle Fleets Expand

Aviation Today News Desk / June 27, 2026

Madrid, Spain: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned that growing bottlenecks in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO)

Delhi, India: Nearly 50% of Indian commercial aircraft audited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have been identified with recurring technical defects, according to figures presented by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The disclosures, based on inspections conducted between January 2025 and 3 February 2026, underscore heightened regulatory scrutiny of airline maintenance practices across the country. The DGCA analysed 754 aircraft belonging to six scheduled carriers for repetitive snags during routine safety checks and surveillance audits of these, 377 aircraft roughly half were found to have recurring defects, defined as technical issues that appeared repeatedly on the same aircraft despite previous corrective actions. Detailed airline-wise figures presented in Parliament show: IndiGo: 405 aircraft analysed, 148 flagged for recurring defects Air India: 166 analysed, 137 flagged Air India Express: 101 analysed, 54 flagged SpiceJet: 43 analysed, 16 flagged Akasa Air: 32 analysed, 14 flagged Government sources pointed out that many of the recurring issues relate to maintenance and equipment malfunctions. In the case of Air India, a spokesperson noted that most defects were in lower-priority “Category D” items such as seating equipment, tray tables and in-flight entertainment screens, which are not directly linked to aircraft safety. Repetitive defects can range in severity, but their recurrence suggests that root-cause analysis and corrective action may not always be sufficient or timely. To reinforce compliance and safety standards, the DGCA said it conducted an extensive set of oversight activities over the last year, including: 3,890 surveillance inspections 56 regulatory audits 84 checks of foreign aircraft (SOFA) 492 ramp inspections 874 spot checks and 550 night surveillance exercises The regulator is mandated to monitor and enforce compliance with civil aviation requirements, and flagged deficiencies are expected to be followed up with corrective action and enforcement where necessary. The audit findings come at a time when India’s aviation safety ecosystem faces sustained scrutiny following a series of reported technical events and operational challenges. In early February, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner was temporarily grounded after a potential fuel control switch defect was reported by pilots following a London–Bengaluru flight. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has sought detailed explanations from the carrier. Additionally, passenger flight disruptions and operational bottlenecks at several airlines in recent months have fueled public and political examination of maintenance practices and regulatory readiness. Airline officials, particularly from the Air India Group, have stressed that rigorous checks and proactive inspections account for higher flagged numbers, and that many findings relate to cabin-level equipment rather than flight-critical systems. IndiGo has not publicly responded to The recurring defects should not necessarily be conflated with immediate safety risks, but they highlight the importance of systematic maintenance quality, effective root-cause resolution, and consistent compliance with global safety standards.

DGCA Says 377 Of 754 Indian Commercial Aircrafts Show Recurring Technical Defects

Aviation Today News Desk / February 6, 2026

Delhi, India: Nearly 50% of Indian commercial aircraft audited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have been identified

New York, United States: A Korean Air Airbus A380-800 operating Flight KE81 from Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) made a precautionary emergency landing on Monday after the pilots reported a hydraulic system irregularity during the aircraft’s final approach. The flight crew declared a PAN‑PAN, the international aviation urgency signal indicating an urgent situation that requires priority handling but does not constitute an immediate life-threatening emergency. Air Traffic Control granted the aircraft priority clearance for landing, and the crew executed a controlled descent and landing without incident. According to reports, the aircraft, registered HL7627, experienced limitations in certain automated flight systems due to the hydraulic anomaly. After touchdown, it was towed to the gate as a precautionary measure. All passengers and crew disembarked safely, though their onward travel was delayed as Korean Air conducted standard post-landing maintenance checks to ensure the aircraft’s operational integrity. A spokesperson for Korean Air stated, “Passenger safety is our highest priority. The precautionary landing was carried out in accordance with established safety protocols, and we can confirm that there were no injuries.” Aviation analysts note that while the Airbus A380 is no longer in production, it remains a critical aircraft for high-capacity, long-haul international routes.

Korean Air A380 Makes Precautionary Landing At New York JFK Due To Hydraulic Problem

Aviation Today News Desk / January 27, 2026

New York, United States: A Korean Air Airbus A380-800 operating Flight KE81 from Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) to New

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