For Mexico's airline maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry, this is a time of change, especially given recent developments at Aeromexico and Mexicana MRO Services, the two heavyweights in airframe third-party maintenance in the country. Aeromexico runs a joint venture with Delta TechOps, and Mexicana MRO Services is operating despite the August 2010 bankruptcy and service suspension of Mexicana Airlines, which once accounted for 60% of its business.

Med Atlantica, which recently purchased Mexicana de Aviacion, has signaled its intent to retain Mexicana MRO Services.

Airlines in the booming Asia-Pacific market, are becoming far more aware of life-cycle costs and are seeking more flight-hour-based, comprehensive solutions, extending to spares accessibility and obsolescence management. “The more mature carriers are starting to understand that back shops are not delivering a high-value proposition, and are moving toward outsourcing,” says Bob Still, general manager of operations for Rockwell Collins Melbourne (Australia) Service Center.