Sustainability as a Growth Imperative in Airline Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Services

Sustainability as a Growth Imperative in Airline Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Services

Industry Collaborations Promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel Acceptance and Implementation

MRO providers promote sustainable practices, but require significant changes in their traditional work operations. MROs can foster sustainability by facilitating necessary changes, such as the use of electric trucks, digital technologies, biodegradable materials, and energy-efficient machinery.
MRO operators should classify greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sources into 3 categories: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The use of aviation turbine fuel is classified as the primary source of GHG emission, energy (electricity and fossil fuels) to run machinery is categorized as secondary sources, while supply chain and transportation are considered tertiary sources.

MROs need to first focus on primary and secondary sources of gas emission sources and formulate strategies to curb carbon emissions. Furthermore, they need to collaborate with transportation providers and material suppliers to strategize and control tertiary GHG sources.
In the long term, the benefits of sustainable initiatives are clearly visible, but the upfront capital costs pose an implementation barrier for
MRO providers. This barrier could slow sustainability progress, especially for smaller MROs without ample resources for upfront investments.
MROs should swiftly work with airports, airlines, and aircraft OEMs to understand the best practices to achieve carbon neutrality. They need to prepare themselves to provide aftermarket services and implement sustainability strategies for the upcoming entry of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft in service.

This research study analyzes sustainable trends and practices in airline maintenance and repair (recycle) solutions and features MROs that
provide aftermarket services to commercial airlines. It provides the impact of sources of GHG emissions on the scale of high, medium, and low for 2021?2030, 2031?2040, and 2041?2050, respectively. The study identifies growth drivers and restraints for 2024?2034 and highlights sustainability initiatives by leading MROs in the market.