Boeing and Airbus delivery delays have resulted in an increase in the number of older aircraft requiring maintenance and repair at DAE’s facilities.
The largest aviation services company in the Middle East has
reported an increase in demand for its maintenance and overhaul facilities due
to delayed deliveries of new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. Airlines are
being forced to extend the lifespan of their existing fleet, resulting in a
greater need for maintenance and repair services.
“Demand is at an all time high because there is a global
shortage in capacity,” Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Firoz
Tarapore said in an interview. “Airlines have intense pressure to make sure
that every aircraft they own is up flying and making money for them because the
supply of new aircraft is constrained,” he said.
In the absence of brand-new aircraft, airlines are opting
for increased planned maintenance to guarantee fleet availability amidst
sustained demand for travel, as explained by Tarapore. This strategy, combined
with limited maintenance capacity, has resulted in extended wait times for
aircraft repairs.
DAE’s maintenance facilities, managed by our Jordanian
subsidiary Joramco, have a full schedule for the upcoming 18 months, as
confirmed by Tarapore.
The company, which is also the largest plane-leasing company
in the Middle East with over 400 aircraft, reported that it is also
experiencing significant delays in its jet orders. DAE anticipates receiving
only approximately half of the previously scheduled Boeing 737 aircraft.
Airbus recently cautioned that it will be unable to fulfill
its previous projection of delivering 800 aircraft in 2024 due to ongoing
challenges with component shortages, affecting various aspects from engines to
structural parts and cabin interiors. Simultaneously, its competitor, Boeing,
has also been compelled to limit its production in order to address
manufacturing issues following a near-fatal incident in January.