In a recent interview with AeroTime, Toma Matutytė, CEO of Locatory.com, and Hanna Lavinskaja, Head of EngineStands.com, shared their insights on the evolving challenges in the aviation supply chain and the complexities surrounding engine maintenance.
“The demand is still increasing at a high pace,” Matutytė remarked. A few years ago, such a statement would have hinted at a boom time. But now, in the context of aviation’s struggle to regain its pre-pandemic momentum, it carries a more cautious tone. Locatory.com, one of the world’s leading marketplaces for aircraft parts, is seeing a surge in requests from both airlines and maintenance providers.
The rapid return of passenger numbers has left airlines desperate to keep their planes in service, just as parts shortages have worsened. “As air travel demand surpasses supply, we see a bottleneck effect,” Matutytė explained. Delays in new aircraft deliveries have pushed airlines to hold onto older jets longer than planned.
While the aviation supply chain problems have been discussed for some time, the most critical challenges are shifting. For instance, the backlog is currently particularly acute in the MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) sector, where demand for engine repairs has outstripped capacity. Hanna Lavinskaja knows this story well. “Repair shops are facing challenges in servicing an increasing number of aging narrowbody engines,” she noted, recounting a now-familiar narrative. Airlines, hoping to extend the life of their trusty workhorses, are flooding repair shops with requests, even as newer engine models are arriving for their first overhauls.
Like many in the industry, the experts agreed that both operators and lessors are now trying to find a balance: managing aging engines alongside those that represent the future. As Lavinskaja described it, the market for spare engines and leasing solutions is booming, filling the gap where downtime meets urgency. “MROs are cautioning that costs may rise due to difficulties in accessing materials,” she added, acknowledging an uncomfortable truth: the shortages that plagued the early pandemic days haven’t disappeared. They’ve simply shifted, creating new challenges for airlines and maintenance providers alike.
Still, she sees promise in creative leasing solutions that help airlines avoid long waits. By renting spare engines during maintenance cycles, airlines can sidestep delays and keep flying. “It’s about finding that balance, helping clients stay flexible in an unpredictable environment,” she reflected.
To see the full conversation with AeroTime, where Toma Matutytė and Hanna Lavinskaja share more of their insights,
Watch the full interview.