Willie Walsh has stressed that there are no safety issues in aviation despite airlines being forced to retain an ageing fleet because of supply chain issues, stressing instead that the challenges faced are related to convenience and cost.
Speaking at IATA Congress 2025 in Delhi, Mr Walsh said maintenance of aircraft is taking longer than expected due to disruptions in access to spare parts, which affects operational efficiency.
The lengthened turn times for maintenance result in added costs for airlines, causing operational inconvenience.
Engine shop visits are now taking significantly longer than they did previously, further complicating the maintenance schedule.
Walsh reiterated that despite these challenges, all aircraft are maintained to the highest standards, focusing on cost and convenience rather than safety.
Willie Walsh shared: “There’s no safety issue at all. The issue is that aircraft have to be taken out of service for longer than was expected Turn times on maintenance are longer today than they were before. Engine shop visits are taking much longer than they used to take. It’s an issue of cost and convenience.”
