Supply chain strain. Aircraft on the ground. Rising costs.
The aviation industry is still dealing with the long tail of disruption post-COVID-and effective MRO inventory management may be the key to resilience.
In this conversation, Micheál Armstrong, CEO of Armac Systems, breaks down the challenges airlines are facing today, and how smart use of data, systems, and people can unlock huge gains in efficiency and availability.
“Some parts come back quickly, others might as well be scrapped. You can’t rely on old provisioning models anymore.”
With lead times increasing on both new parts and repairs, airlines are being forced to hold aircraft longer, delay retirements, and extend leases. But forward-thinking organizations are fighting back with smarter planning and more collaborative supplier engagement.
“It’s not just about average lead times anymore. You need real-time insight and supplier-level collaboration.”
From applying engineering strategy to part interchangeability, to making better decisions around upgrades and modifications, Micheál shares how operators are shifting from reactive to proactive.
He also discusses how technology is making this possible:
- Proactive data analysis to detect issues early
- Advanced planning with platforms like ReASSIST
- Using inventory systems as decision-support tools, not just process managers
And the next frontier? AI, machine learning, and data science.
“These algorithms aren’t new-what’s new is we finally have the people, the mindset, and the computing power to apply them.”
He explains how the rise of digital natives, data science teams, and cloud computing is driving real-world adoption of AI in aviation-not just buzzwords, but actual, scalable value.
🎥 Watch the full interview to learn how airlines and MROs can shift from lagging to leading in supply chain resilience and tech adoption.
Questions asked include:
- What’s the current state of the aviation supply chain?
- How are repair and replacement delays affecting operations?
- How can inventory management systems help mitigate risk?
- What role does technology play in improving visibility and planning?
- How is AI transforming decision-making in MRO and parts management?
- What role do events and collaboration play in driving industry innovation?
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