MROs Adding New Capabilities, Offerings During COVID-19 Downturn

One of the defining early traits of the crisis was MROs offering cargo-related services in the absence of passenger flights. The likes of Magnetic MRO bolstered its services to offer temporary passenger aircraft cabin modifications. This enabled to MRO to support two options allowed by EASA: Removal of seats for a zero passenger layout or leaving seats in place, but fixing cargo boxes on them with special straps. In addition, it was also able to provide cabin modification for the installation of medical stretchers on various aircraft types.

SR Technics followed suit by introducing remote video inspections for engines. The new service, which relies on a video streaming portal, minimizes waiting times, aims to reduce travel costs and process time, and eliminates bottlenecks.

The carrier's maintenance division signed a memorandum of understanding with Piedmont Propulsion Systems to provide aircraft propeller MRO services in Malaysia and the U.S.

Honeywell has added a new leasing option to the GoTrade Direct e-commerce parts trading platform it launched in late 2018. The trading platform, which uses new technologies such as blockchain to list new and used aircraft parts, will initially roll out its leasing inventory feature on the Honeywell Engine and APU Rental Bank areas.

S7 Technics is planning to launch a production site to manufacture polyurethane foam for passenger seats. The site is undergoing renovation and staff training will begin soon. Plans for the first trial batch of products should be released in October.

Liebherr Aerospace has developed a proprietary service center software called eLIROM that is dedicated to processing all repair activities. The company says it has the potential to increase process efficiency by 30%. eLIROM’s digitalized workflow collects and analyzes MRO activities across Liebherr’s network in real time and the company says it will enable identification of best practices and better efficiency.

For independents like Heston MRO, the pandemic most impacted its line maintenance services. However, Heston used the downturn to press ahead with adding new offerings. These included the introduction of Part 147 technical training capabilities, progressing its Part 145 B-rating engines capability, starting CAMO and engineering support capability and advancing EASA certification before the end of 2020.

Some MROs have looked to start repairing new aircraft. MAU Technics, based in the Ukraine, started the certification process for EU-registered aircraft around 18 months and finally achieved it earlier this month. Because of the new certification, the MRO will now repair several variants of the Boeing 737 as well as the Embraer E190.