- IATA identified four priorities at the Madrid symposium
- Supply chain failures cost airlines 11bn dollars in 2025
- The fleet age stands at 15.2 years with over 18,000 aircraft on order
- Demand for maintenance technicians reaches 710,000 over 20 years
- IATA called for realistic mandate implementation timelines
IATA has outlined four priorities to strengthen the aviation supply chain. The priorities include enhanced supply chain visibility, opening up the aftermarket, unlocking data digitalisation and artificial intelligence, and building human capacity. Stuart Fox presented the measures at the inaugural IATA World Maintenance and Engineering Symposium in Madrid. Supply chain failures cost airlines at least 11bn dollars in 2025.
The average fleet age reached a record 15.2 years with an order backlog over 18,000 aircraft. IATA urged better information from manufacturers on delays and parts availability. Cooperation with the International Airlines Technical Pool supports parts visibility.
Additional calls cover realistic timelines for aircraft equipment mandates. Examples include requirements for GADSS, ROAAS and ADS B systems. Fox stressed the need for coordinated action among OEMs, suppliers, MROs, lessors, regulators and airlines.
Stuart Fox shared “The supply chain is under real pressure, but this is not a reason for pessimism. It is a reason for action. This is not about delaying safety. It is about making safety deliverable.”
