Engine MROs slash repair times to meet demand amid parts shortages

MROs are working to reduce engine repair turnaround times and increase the supply of powerplants as demand remains strong. Turnaround times (TAT) on engine repairs and overhauls are getting shorter as the industry recovers from pandemic supply chain disruptions, Les Cronin, vice president of sales and marketing at MTU Aero Engines North America, told Cargo Facts . [caption id="attachment_57293627" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] Contaminated powdered metal was found in V2500s in 2023. (Courtesy/MTU Aero Engines)[/caption] Cronin said the average TAT for full performance restoration during engine shop visits is: Seventy to ninety days for narrowbody engines; Eighty to 100 days for medium-widebody engines; and 150 to 180 days for large-widebody engines. Watch the recent Cargo Facts webinar featuring Cronin here . OEM and third-party engine MROs were taking longer for repairs in 2023 and 2024 after the discovery of contaminated powdered metal in the main components of Pratt & Whitney’s GTFs and IAE’s V2500s that increased the backlogs at engine repair shops. Not only must TATs improve, but more used, serviceable material from engine part-outs must become available to reduce shop visit costs , David Ellis, chief commercial officer of leasing, investments, finance and trading at GA Telesis, said during Cargo Facts’ “Full thrust: Navigating engine challenges in the freighter segment” webinar last week. Supply chain constraints and material and component shortages, are not only affecting engine repair turnaround times but have also contributed to rising freighter conversion costs and production delays being felt across the industry. MROs employing more AI To combat industry constraints, MROs have begun incorporating AI into their daily workflows. AeroThrust, The Xtreme Group’s MRO subsidiary, is in the final certification phase with the FAA for its EloScan robotic engine inspections system, Jose Fagundo, vice president of sales and business development, told Cargo Facts . AeroThrust will use the EloScan system to complete inspections on rotable engine parts and components and increase efficiency, he said. MROs are implementing more AI to “ improve turnaround times and get aircraft back in the air ,” FEAM Aero Chief Information Officer Joseph Hernandez said during a panel on AI at MRO Americas 2025 in April. Additionally, AI is becoming standard for MROs to effectively navigate supply chain constraints and material shortages, Perwien Meriwani, senior vice president of operations and airframe at Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance, said at the event. AI can digitalize documentation for the entire maintenance process, from induction to completion of repairs, she said. Cargo Facts LATAM 2026, the essential event for stakeholders in Latin America, will take place Feb. 10-12 at the Marquis Reforma in Mexico City. Learn more and register by Dec. 26 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. Cargo Facts Asia 2026, the indispensable event for Asia-Pacific stakeholders, will take place March 23-25 at the W Shanghai. Learn more and register by Feb. 6 to take advantage of early-bird pricing. The inaugural Cargo Facts Routes and Airport Conference will take place April 27-28 at the Marriott Al Forsan Abu Dhabi. Learn more and register by March 13 to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

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