Page 24 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2018 Online Magazine

FUTURE PERFECT

The time to cash in is ripe for wide body airframe MRO
providers as new generation of twin-aisle airliners are
undertakingtheir initial major maintenance events.

Jay Menon

he time to cash in is ripe for wide well within the list of top 10 aircraft families, in terms of heavy
body airframe MRO providers as a MRO expenditures. Increasing MRO activities are expected for
new generation of twin-aisle airlin- current production twins such as the Airbus A330-300. It is
Ters are undertaking their initial major expected to see more Airbus A380s making their first six-year
maintenance events. Wide body aircraft MRO heavy maintenance visits, although some A380 operators may
market has gained a huge traction around be able to in-source this work to their own MROs. Numerous
the globe owing to the increased air travel Airbus A380s, built between years 2010-11, are likely to be slated
rate. According to a recent study report pub- for heavy checks in the next couple of years, analysts predict. At
lished by the Market Research Future, the the same time, it is observed that several in-service passenger
wide body aircraft MRO market is projected Boeing 747-400s are gradually being phased out by several
to grow at a rapid pace by 2021. operators. For MROs, this means more 747-400 dismantling.

“Since 2016 wide body aircraft MRO Growth Arena
providers are having an exciting time The major factors driving the global aircraft airframe MRO
with the first of a new generation market are rapid fleet expansion and outsourcing of airframe
of twin-aisle aircraft entering the MRO. The expansion of the existing commercial aircraft fleet
MRO gates. At the same time, older and the increasing needs for airframe maintenance would result
models are still undergoing heavy in increased MRO activities. A wide body aircraft MRO Global
checks and extensive modifications, Market analysis by MRFR says the APAC region will continue
although they represent a diminish- its hegemony during the next five years to reach astronomical
ing market,” MRO observers. amounts at a CAGR of 6 per cent. Whereas, Europe, the Middle
East and Africa (EMEA) will grow at a CAGR of 4 per cent and
Statistics show that wide body aircraft remain Americas will grow at a considerable CAGR during the forecast

24 | September/October 2018 www.GBP.com.sg/AAA