Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Did you know the number of commercial aircraft in service is forecast to almost double between 2024 and 2044?
From 24,730 aircraft in 2024 to a projected 49,210 in 2044.
That growth is good news for connectivity. But it also puts a spotlight on one of aviation’s biggest operational bottlenecks: engine maintenance.
The challenge is already being felt.
At the March 2025 peak, 648 Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered aircraft were grounded. That’s 28% of the GTF fleet.
And as latest-generation single-aisle fleets grow, maintenance demand will rise sharply:
➡️ LEAP engine shop visits are forecast to increase from 600–800 in 2025 to more than 5,000 by 2040
➡️ GTF engine shop visits are expected to rise from around 1,000 to more than 2,000
So, what needs to change?
IATA, in collaboration with Emerton, has released a new study examining bottlenecks in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of latest-generation single-aisle aircraft engines.
The priorities are clear:
🔸 Increase engine parts availability
🔸 Ensure fair access to the MRO market
🔸 Secure long-term access to spare parts
🔸 Adopt industry-wide best practices
As Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said:
“Resolving today’s disruption is the immediate priority. But long-term resilience will depend on a more transparent, competitive and collaborative aftermarket.”
The goal is simple: get engines back on wing faster, reduce avoidable disruption and ensure future fleet growth is supported by the MRO capacity airlines need.
Learn more:
iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/06-24-urgent-action-needed-to-ease-engine-mro-bottlenecks
#IATAWMES
Did you know the number of commercial aircraft in service is forecast to almost double between 2024 and 2044?
From 24,730 aircraft in 2024 to a projected 49,210 in 2044.
That growth is good news for connectivity. But it also puts a spotlight on one of aviation’s biggest operational bottlenecks: engine maintenance.
The challenge is already being felt.
At the March 2025 peak, 648 Pratt & Whitney GTF-powered aircraft were grounded. That’s 28% of the GTF fleet.
And as latest-generation single-aisle fleets grow, maintenance demand will rise sharply:
➡️ LEAP engine shop visits are forecast to increase from 600–800 in 2025 to more than 5,000 by 2040
➡️ GTF engine shop visits are expected to rise from around 1,000 to more than 2,000
So, what needs to change?
IATA, in collaboration with Emerton, has released a new study examining bottlenecks in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of latest-generation single-aisle aircraft engines.
The priorities are clear:
🔸 Increase engine parts availability
🔸 Ensure fair access to the MRO market
🔸 Secure long-term access to spare parts
🔸 Adopt industry-wide best practices
As Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General, said:
“Resolving today’s disruption is the immediate priority. But long-term resilience will depend on a more transparent, competitive and collaborative aftermarket.”
The goal is simple: get engines back on wing faster, reduce avoidable disruption and ensure future fleet growth is supported by the MRO capacity airlines need.
Learn more:
iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/06-24-urgent-action-needed-to-ease-engine-mro-bottlenecks
#IATAWMES
