Urgent Action Needed to Ease Engine MRO Bottlenecks

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), in collaboration with Emerton, today released a new study examining bottlenecks in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of latest-generation single-aisle aircraft engines—namely LEAP engines from CFM, and Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines from Pratt & Whitney.

The study, Single Aisle Aircraft Engines MRO: Strategic Levers to Address Supply Chain Challenges, highlights how engine durability issues, spare parts shortages, limited spare engine availability, and constrained aftermarket access are disrupting airline operations.

These pressures are creating costly operational challenges, including reduced engine time on wing, increased demand for engine shop visits and more complex airline maintenance planning.

The number of grounded Pratt & Whitney GTF powered aircraft peaked in March 2025 at 648, 28% of the GTF-fleet. These aircraft were awaiting engine shop visits, spare engines or parts. Affected airlines have had to adapt their fleet plans, including by retaining older aircraft, extending leases or leasing additional aircraft, and adjusting capacity.