Boeing and Airbus delivery delays have resulted in an increase in the number of older aircraft requiring maintenance and repair at DAE’s facilities.

The largest aviation services company in the Middle East has reported an increase in demand for its maintenance and overhaul facilities due to delayed deliveries of new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus. Airlines are being forced to extend the lifespan of their existing fleet, resulting in a greater need for maintenance and repair services.

“Demand is at an all time high because there is a global shortage in capacity,” Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Firoz Tarapore said in an interview. “Airlines have intense pressure to make sure that every aircraft they own is up flying and making money for them because the supply of new aircraft is constrained,” he said.

In the absence of brand-new aircraft, airlines are opting for increased planned maintenance to guarantee fleet availability amidst sustained demand for travel, as explained by Tarapore. This strategy, combined with limited maintenance capacity, has resulted in extended wait times for aircraft repairs.

DAE’s maintenance facilities, managed by our Jordanian subsidiary Joramco, have a full schedule for the upcoming 18 months, as confirmed by Tarapore.

The company, which is also the largest plane-leasing company in the Middle East with over 400 aircraft, reported that it is also experiencing significant delays in its jet orders. DAE anticipates receiving only approximately half of the previously scheduled Boeing 737 aircraft.

Airbus recently cautioned that it will be unable to fulfill its previous projection of delivering 800 aircraft in 2024 due to ongoing challenges with component shortages, affecting various aspects from engines to structural parts and cabin interiors. Simultaneously, its competitor, Boeing, has also been compelled to limit its production in order to address manufacturing issues following a near-fatal incident in January.