IATA Report Says Engine Durability and Supply Constraints Are Eroding Efficiency Gains

Fuel-efficiency savings from modern aircraft engines are being partly offset by higher maintenance costs, parts shortages and limited aftermarket capacity, according to a new IATA report. A new IATA report says durability problems and maintenance constraints are reducing the economic benefits airlines expected from modern, fuel-efficient aircraft engines. Although the engines deliver significant fuel savings compared with their predecessors, higher maintenance costs are increasing ownership expenses. Airlines are also facing spare-parts shortages, limited availability of spare engines and constrained access to aftermarket services, disrupting operations. The report identifies manufacturing capacity lost during the COVID-19 pandemic as a major factor. Recovering that capacity has proved difficult, contributing to delays in maintenance support and the loss of some anticipated efficiency savings.