IATA urges action on aerospace supply chain challenges

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is calling for greater cooperation across the aviation sector to address ongoing aerospace supply chain disruptions that continue to affect airlines worldwide.

Speaking at the inaugural IATA World Maintenance and Engineering Symposium in Madrid, the organization outlined four priorities to strengthen the supply chain: improving visibility, opening up the aftermarket, leveraging data and artificial intelligence and building human capacity.

“The supply chain is under real pressure, but this is not a reason for pessimism. It is a reason for action,” said Stuart Fox, IATA’s director of flight and technical operations.

IATA said supply chain issues cost airlines at least US$11 billion in 2025, citing aircraft delivery delays, engine durability concerns, shortages of materials and spare parts and limited maintenance capacity.

“The aircraft order backlog is over 18,000. And the average fleet age has reached a record 15.2 years,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, in a report on the air transport industry.

Among its recommendations, IATA called for manufacturers to provide airlines with more timely information on delivery delays and parts availability, and urged broader access to third-party maintenance, repair and overhaul services to increase competition and reduce costs.

The association also highlighted the need for more maintenance technicians, noting Boeing estimates 710,000 new technicians will be required globally over the next 20 years.

IATA additionally called for realistic and globally coordinated timelines for aircraft equipment and avionics mandates, arguing implementation schedules must reflect certification requirements, equipment availability and installation capacity.

“This is not about delaying safety. It is about making safety deliverable,” Fox said.