Air France-KLM’s MRO Division Adjusts to Supply Chain Challenges

Air France-KLM’s MRO Division Adjusts to Supply Chain Challenges

Navigating Persistent Disruptions in Aviation Maintenance

Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) continues to grapple with ongoing supply chain disruptions that have significantly impacted the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sector in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speaking at the Paris Air Show on 16 June, Anne Brachet, executive vice-president of AFI KLM E&M, highlighted that the industry remains far from regaining pre-pandemic stability, with uncertainty prevailing over when normal conditions might be restored.

In response to these challenges, AFI KLM E&M has expanded its repair operations, particularly focusing on commercial engines, and is preparing to announce a new partnership aimed at securing spare engine supplies. This initiative forms part of a broader strategy to mitigate supply chain bottlenecks through targeted investments. Brachet acknowledged that supply levels have yet to return to normal, stating, “We have learned how to manage that. We invest a lot and of course that has an impact on the cost for the airline at the end. But the situation is far from being normal and that is something that is at the top of our negotiation with key suppliers.”

Industry-Wide Challenges and Strategic Responses

The difficulties faced by AFI KLM E&M reflect wider trends across the MRO sector, which continues to contend with rising operational costs, deferred investments, and workforce shortages that originated during the pandemic. These factors have slowed progress but have not resolved persistent supply chain issues. Economic instability and increased tariffs have further complicated the landscape, prompting cautious annual forecasts from U.S. airlines, while European carriers, including Air France-KLM, maintain a comparatively optimistic outlook.

Brachet underscored the critical importance of agility, investment, and workforce development in navigating these turbulent conditions. Attracting and retaining skilled personnel remains a significant challenge amid a competitive “fight for talent,” particularly as many newer employees have never experienced pre-pandemic operational norms. She remarked, “What is the normal performance for them? They’ve never seen a normal performance. When are we going to be back to that? Today, I don’t know.”

Across the industry, competitors are responding by enhancing supply chain efficiency, leveraging technological advancements, and strengthening relationships with suppliers and customers. Brachet expressed hope that the sector could eventually return to “basics,” enabling original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), MRO providers, and airlines to focus on their core functions without the added burden of supply chain uncertainties. Nevertheless, she cautioned that achieving such equilibrium remains a distant prospect.

While the supply chain situation has improved compared to a year ago, Brachet and her counterparts remain vigilant, recognizing that the path to full recovery is uncertain and will demand ongoing adaptation and resilience.