The global aviation supply chain is projected to reach a stable recovery phase by the end of next year, according to the regional president of one of the world’s major jet engine manufacturers, known for powering wide-body aircraft.
“Supply chain issues are a challenge faced by the entire aviation industry, and our company is no exception,” he stated in a recent interview. “We anticipate that by late 2027, the supply chain will be relatively stable and on its way to full recovery.”
Throughout the pandemic, widespread flight cancellations caused a sharp decline in deliveries from Boeing and Airbus, leading suppliers to reduce their workforce by up to half. The process of hiring and training new staff has been slow, which has delayed growth in production capacity.
For example, Airbus’s CEO mentioned the company is increasing manufacturing capacity while managing a shortage of engines from a major supplier, which will likely impact the production of A320-family jets in 2026 and 2027.
Currently, there are no delays in aircraft deliveries caused by issues with engine supplies from this manufacturer, the executive confirmed.
Regarding engine overhauls, he explained that the company’s existing overhaul capacity is adequate and expanding. The main bottleneck is the limited supply chain capacity for certain critical parts, resulting in longer overhaul cycles and temporary operational shutdowns.
Despite expecting ongoing supply chain challenges through the remainder of this year, the company remains committed to achieving zero shutdowns in the second half.
To address these issues, the company has increased procurement from Chinese suppliers, with purchases from China rising over 10 percent last year compared to the previous year. Additionally, it has begun deploying engineers and dedicated teams directly to key Chinese partners. Early results are promising, particularly for models like the Trent 700.
Over the past several years, the company has invested GBP 750 million (around USD 1 billion) to expand overhaul capacity across 12 facilities, boosting repair capacity by 50 percent since 2023. The goal is to reach an annual overhaul volume of 1,300 to 1,400 engines by 2028.
A joint venture between the company and Air China, known for engine servicing, started operations last December. The target for this year is to bring in 18 to 19 Trent 700 engines, with the first delivery scheduled around October. This facility plans to increase its overhaul capacity between 2026 and 2034, ultimately aiming to service 250 engines at full capacity.
Regarding the narrow-body aircraft engine market, the company’s CEO has affirmed plans to enter this segment, likely through partnerships, which are currently being established.
“The UltraFan program aims to prove we have the technical ability and expertise required to enter the narrow-body aircraft market,” he said. “Ground testing of the first narrow-body jet demonstrator engine is planned for 2028.”