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.
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by Elsie Clark | Feb 11, 2026 | MRO IT
Irish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair have signed a 15-year services agreement with engine manufacturer CFM to bring maintenance capabilities in-house.
The terms of the deal will see the airline buy US$1 billion in spare parts annually from CFM, a joint venture between Safran and GE Aerospace. Ultimately, by 2029 Ryanair plan to open two engine maintenance shops that will be responsible for maintaining their 2,000 CFM engines.
Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary explained that the move will reduce costs and expedite maintenance timelines. Currently, the LCC outsources its maintenance to CFM, which leaves Ryanair vulnerable to extensive supply chain backlogs and disruption. The ability to control their own turnaround times would be a ‘huge benefit, O’Leary explained. He said:
[This] is the way we will be able to limit cost inflation. There is no doubt there is going to be significant cost inflation on new aircraft, engines and engine repair for the next decade, until the supply chains begin to smooth out.
H Lawrence Culp, junior chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace, added:
We value the opportunity to work with them on solutions to increase capacity and reduce turnaround time. This MoU demonstrates our commitment to an open MRO ecosystem that supports growing demand while reducing cost of ownership,
Other airlines in Europe do their own engine maintenance, including Air France and Lufthansa. However, Ryanair’s move is a significant departure from the typical budget airline model, where maintenance is outsourced.
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