by Elsie Clark | May 28, 2026 | MRO IT
International Airlines Group (IAG) member Aer Lingus have announced a new commercial partnership with AISmartPlan.
The startup joined the IAGi Accelerator in 2025, a dedicated programme helping IAG’s airlines connect with emerging companies. AISmartPlan’s innovative system has reduced manual processes and helps engineers better visualise their work with its automatic engineer/aircraft pairing software and drag-and-drop tools.
Lucas De Almeida Ramos Faria, Maintenance Production Planning Manager at Aer Lingus, said:
The way maintenance tasks were allocated to our engineers was previously highly manual and time consuming, which limited how far ahead we could plan. The IAGi Accelerator programme provided us with a valuable opportunity to work with AISmartPlan and test an AI optimised approach using real operational constraints. This partnership marks a fundamental change in how we plan and optimise maintenance. What used to take hours each day can now be done in minutes, and with far greater confidence in the outcome.
In just three months the startup advanced their solution from a proof-of-concept to an operational system supporting everyday MRO at Aer Lingus. With the signing of a multi-year agreement, AISmartPlan are also considering scaling their work to other IAG airlines.
Since its establishment ten years ago, the IAGi Accelerator has partnered with more than 120 companies. Nicolas Grondin, Founder of AISmartPlan, commented:
Our goal has always been to fully automate maintenance planning and make complex plans instantly visible and actionable. The IAGi Accelerator gave us an incredible opportunity that early-stage companies rarely get – deep operational engagement with an airline that was willing to test, challenge and cocreate the solution with us. Aer Lingus’ feedback directly shaped the product and proved its market fit in aviation.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026.
by Elsie Clark | May 19, 2026 | Innovation, MRO IT
Emirates have begun construction on a high-tech US$5.1 billion MRO facility in Dubai South. Totalling 1.1 million square metres, once complete the building will be one of the world’s largest by volume, as well as the largest steel structure in the Gulf.
China Railway Construction Corporation are leading construction, alongside Artella as project consultants. The ambition is to create an advanced hangar that can simultaneously accommodate 28 wide-body aircraft and two painting hangars.
Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive at Emirates Airline and Group, said:
The new facility strengthens Emirates Engineering’s vertical integration strategy by bringing more skills, infrastructure, parts production, and specialist capabilities under one roof, while positioning the airline to serve as a strategic engineering partner for the future requirements of the regional and global aviation industry.
Alongside the latest MRO tech, the facility will also incorporate sustainability with solar panels across the roof. Construction is scheduled to complete in 2030, with the hangars initially serving as overspill for Emirates Engineering work at Dubai International Airport (DXB).
As supply chain delays continue to impede the delivery of new aircraft, effective maintenance and overhaul have become key priorities for airlines who want to make the most of their existing assets. Emirates continues to target an ambitious growth strategy that will not be possible unless they keep their aircraft in top condition. As a carrier that prides itself on its superior customer service, this MRO investment will reduce turnaround times and delays, ultimately producing a better experience for passengers.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026.
by Elsie Clark | May 14, 2026 | Innovation, MRO IT
Singaporean software developers Soji AI have announced a new collaboration with Active Partners to advance AI use in MRO record keeping. Under the partnership, the parties will explore how technology can optimise the delivery and inspection of aircraft and engines.
Rob de Klerk, Director Technical Services of Active Partners, said:
Partnering with Soji AI represents a major milestone in our digital transformation journey. By adopting AI-driven engineering management, we are not only improving efficiency and reliability but also setting new standards for innovation and safety in the aviation industry. This collaboration with Soji does not simply digitise documents, it reduces manual document search and accelerates records by surfacing inconsistencies earlier.
Soji’s proprietary platform transforms fragmented aircraft data into an automated workflow that can support proactive decision-making. Engineers can use the system to access validated information rather than constantly extrapolating from raw data.
Ultimately, the service will allow Active Partners to improve efficiency for their clients: aircraft owners, lease managers, and operators. Florian Falk, CEO of Soji AI, commented:
We’re aiming for real-world workflow benefits and Active Partners is the type of forward-looking organisation we built our software for. Their decision to adopt our platform reflects a broader shift in the industry – from manual, document-heavy processes to intelligent, AI-powered operations. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for how aircraft engineering and records management can be executed. Human-AI workflow is the at the heart of our solution where engineers retain the final authority. We’ll be demonstrating how AI can be embedded into certified environments, supporting a shift towards scalable, digital-first aircraft lifecycle management.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026.
by Elsie Clark | May 5, 2026 | AI & ML, Avionics, Connectivity, Flight Ops IT, Innovation, MRO IT, Sustainability
Aerospace Tech Week (ATW) have unveiled the agenda for the next edition of the event, taking place in November. This year the conference will be held in London for the first time, bringing together innovators across the industry while highlighting the UK’s dynamic aviation and aerospace value chain. The agenda covers the technologies disrupting the industry right now, from AI and avionics to digital MRO and sustainable aviation fuel.
Big players attending the event include executives from Airbus, Boeing, easyJet, Lufthansa, Thales, Safran, Leonardo, and many more. And through partnerships with ADS, the Aerospace Technology Institute, EUROCAE, and the European Aerospace Cluster Partnership, we’re making ATW 2026 the most impactful edition of the event yet.
Sessions you won’t want to miss:
Keynote panel: Aerospace 2030: Navigating the roadmap towards a resilient, intelligent, and sustainable aerospace. Featuring:
- Nick Earl VP UK, Safran
- Greg Ombach, Senior VP and Head of Disruptive Research, Technology, and Innovation, Airbus
- Ajay Chakravarthy, Chief AI Officer, Thales
- Giancarlo Buono,Group Director Safety and Airspace Regulation, Board Member, UK, Civil Aviation Authority
Workshop: Next steps for hydrogen propulsion
- Led by Helen Leadbetter, Technical Strategy Lead – Zero Emissions Flight, Civil Aviation Authority
Panel: Mastering data quality for the next steps in predictive maintenance. Featuring:
- Craig Lynch, Predictive Maintenance Specialist, easyJet
- Honor Powrie, Senior Director, Data & Analytics, ge
- Yannick Nkengsa, Manager, Aircraft Software & Data, Air Canada
Keynote panel: Towards sustainable skies: Strategies and innovations to green the future of aerospace. Featuring:
- Jonathon Counsell, Group Director of Sustainability, IAG
- Julien Manhes, Head of SAF & CDR, Airbus
- Stéphane Albert, Associate Director, Strategic Sustainability, Pratt and Whitney
- Steven Gillard, Regional Director, Europe & METACA Sustainability + Chair of UK Jet Zero Task Force, Boeing
Presentation: From requirements to practice: The WG-72 toolbox for Part-IS cybersecurity compliance.
- Anna Guégan, Senior Technical Programme Manager, EUROCAE
Keynote panel: Connected sovereign skies: Engineering a resilient UK & European airspace. Featuring:
- Sven Graeble, EVP, Head of Strategic Space Initiatives, Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
- Gareth Hetheridge, CIO & Director of Digital, Leonardo
Talent summit, in conversation with Women In Aerospace: Practical advice for forging a career in Aerospace. Featuring:
- Mamatha Maheshwarappa, Head of R&D, UK Space Agency
- Chiara Palla, Coordinator & Program Manager, Women in Aerospace UK Chapter
Excited yet? Check out the full agenda here.
And don’t forget to register your attendance to join us in London in November.
For more like this, see:
by Elsie Clark | Apr 23, 2026 | MRO IT
Engine manufacturers Pratt & Whitney have revealed they are investing more than US$100 million across three maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sites in a bid to reduce delays. Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines are the main targets for improving capacity.
Facilities in Texas, Arkansas, and Florida will all benefit as part of an investment plan that the company say will “enhance speed and efficiency throughout the MRO process”. Texas will receive the bulk of the investment: US$78 million. The site is responsible for used serviceable material (USM), stock of which Pratt & Whitney hope to boost by 60% as they are a common cause of MRO delays.
Rob Griffiths, Senior Vice President of Commercial Engines Operations at Pratt & Whitney, said:
Across these three US facilities, we are investing to increase the throughput of GTF engines and parts, adding repair capabilities and deploying new technologies to return engines to our customers as quickly as possible.
GTFs power Airbus A220 and A320neos, as well as Embraer E-Jet E2s. When publishing its financial results for 2025, Airbus blamed ongoing delays at Pratt & Whitney for the rising backlog of undelivered planes. Meanwhile, MRO services are becoming more essential than ever as supply chain challenges force airlines to keep aircraft in service for longer. Pratt & Whitney’s planned investment will no doubt be welcomed, but as geopolitical tensions continue to frustrate trade flows MRO investment must continue at pace.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026.
by Elsie Clark | Apr 15, 2026 | MRO IT
Korean Air have gone live with Ramco Systems software at the heart of their engine maintenance system.
Providing real-time operational data on output, costs, and performance, the system connects with a range of internal and external systems to streamline processes. Additionally, 400 engineers are now managing workflow through the Mechanic Anywhere app. The integration sheds manual processes and reduces turnaround time in an aviation landscape impeded by supply chain issues.
Chan Woo Jung, Senior Vice President and Head of Maintenance & Engineering Division at Korean Air, said:
By partnering with Ramco, we are embracing a digital-first approach that will alllow us to scale with confidence and deliver value, addressing the complexity and precision required in engine maintenance where efficiency is critical.
Korean Air looks to establish a major MRO centre in Asia through its upcoming engine cluster, opening 2027. Their partnership with Ramco supports its goals of becoming a digital and efficient provider of aviation MRO services. Sam Jacob, Executive Vice President & SBU Head – Aviation, Aerospace and Defense, Ramco Systems, said,
It has been an honour to work with Korean Air to digitally transform their engine maintenance operations. Their relentless focus on innovation and process optimiaation, powered by Ramco’s next-generation Aviation Suite, sets a new standard for excellence in the industry. Through real-time visibility, mobile-first workflows and seamless integration, we enable forward-thinking organizations like Korean Air to lead the industry with speed and resilience. With this digital transformation, Korean Air is future-proofing operations for an era of smart and sustainable maintenance, repair and overhaul.
Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026.
For more like this, see:
You must be logged in to post a comment.