Addressing Staff Shortages in Aircraft Maintenance

One of the biggest problems facing the aircraft maintenance industry is a severe staffing shortfall. Though less well-known to the general public than shortages in cabin crew or baggage handling positions, this problem affects the aviation sector in a big way. There is a shortage of aircraft maintenance engineers, who are responsible for maintaining an aircraft's airworthiness. This poses a risk to the effectiveness and security of aviation activities.

This is because, as the baby boomer generation retires, there are not enough Generation Z workers in every labor sector to fill the gap.

The predictions show a shortage of between 12,000 and 18,000 aviation maintenance workers based on the number of licensed and unlicensed workers on aircraft and in backshops, as well as the projected demand for maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. For the next ten years, there will be a persistent and worsening supply-and-demand imbalance.

Credit: Oliver Wyman survey

Impact of Staff Shortages on Operations

The maintenance staff shortage has a direct impact on everyone in the industry, from the smallest MRO to the largest airline, putting the reliability and safety of airline operations at risk. Inadequate staffing numbers raise the possibility of aircraft-on-ground (AOG) events, that result in lost revenue and operational disruptions. They can also cause delays in routine maintenance and inspections. Regional airlines and independent MROs will probably be the most affected, regardless of the extent of the shortage. To reduce the risks related to understaffing, creative solutions are required.

How can we act?

Utilize Technology and Data

Data-driven solution implementation is one of the best ways to tackle this problem. Predictive maintenance, powered by data analytics, allows airlines to forecast maintenance needs and schedule work in advance, reducing the impact of staff shortages. Real-time tracking of staff locations and availability helps optimize workforce deployment, ensuring that skilled personnel are available where they are most needed. Furthermore, digital tools can help manage certification and skills databases, making it easier to assign qualified employees to specific tasks. Some of these tools can be:

• Predictive Maintenance: By using data from sensor readings and statistical modelling, airlines can predict when maintenance will be needed and schedule the appropriate workforce to perform the maintenance at the right time.

• Real-time tracking: By having real-time data on the location and availability of staff, airlines can better manage and deploy their workforce.

• Certification and skill tracking: By having data on the certifications and skills of staff, airlines can ensure they have the right personnel with the appropriate qualifications working on a specific aircraft or task.

• Staff utilization analysis: By analyzing data on staff utilization, airlines can identify areas where the workforce is underutilized and redistribute staff to where they are needed most.

• Automated scheduling: By using data and algorithms to automatically schedule staff, airlines can reduce the time and effort required to manage the workforce, which in turn can help to avoid errors and oversights.

Invest in efficiency

Tactics and structural changes that improve worker productivity without creating an oppressive work atmosphere should be the main priorities. It is crucial to prioritize enhancements that make work easier or more enjoyable over rigid workload increases. This involves encouraging a culture of staff participation in productivity projects, which develops a sense of ownership and invites useful outside viewpoints into the company. On the tactical front, reducing waste through the use of advanced technology is critical. Integrating systems that automate data exchanges and streamline workflows can help significantly with this effort. One way to reduce waste and maximize resource usage is through the use of tools that support airworthiness reviews, inspections, and guarantee consistency of MRO/M&E data.

Make the job relevant

The industry needs to concentrate on keeping its current workforce as well as luring in new talent in order to address the shortage. Modernizing training programs and implementing technology can highlight the high-tech, contemporary aspect of aircraft maintenance and attract new talent to the field.

Engaging potential employees and reigniting their interest in aviation is one way to improve the outlook. Nonetheless, given the fiercely competitive environment of today, educational initiatives that highlight the opportunities in aviation to parents and high school and college students alike are necessary. This strategy may pay off considering the high expense of higher education and the widespread parental encouragement of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers, which are more likely to offer higher salaries.

Hold their attention

Another strategy that could help close the gap is to increase retention rates among current employees. Professional growth and advancement opportunities are essential for job satisfaction and retention. The implementation of new technologies not only helps draw in young professionals but also simplifies maintenance procedures, relieving current employees of some of their workload.

In order to grow professionally, technicians must also see clear paths. This means that in order to give employees new skill sets and licenses to work on various aircraft types and technical specialties, like avionics or composite materials, companies need to make technical training programs accessible and possibly even subsidize them. It also means opportunities beyond just developing technical skills

Conclusion

To sum up, the scarcity of labor in aircraft maintenance demands a multifaceted approach that combines technological innovation with strategic workforce development and retention programs. To address the immediate need, productivity must be prioritized: The MRO industry must maximized the use of its limited number of mechanics. That means putting more emphasis on digitization, handheld technology, and on-the-job training, as well as looking for ways to incorporate the latest technology.

How EXSYN can help

Our tool NEXUS facilitates automatic aircraft data exchange between systems, enabling airlines and suppliers to maintain data accuracy cost-effectively. System interface management is made simple by its pre-built interfaces and user-friendly dashboards. In order to prevent aircraft grounding, NEXUS proactively maintains airworthiness systems and assists in identifying problems early.

NEXUS is essentially the technological advancement required to boost productivity in the face of labor challenges in the industry. Its ability to considerably reduce time and cost through automation and standardization, maintain the highest standards for data quality, guarantee compliance, and integrate with all major MRO/M&E systems, positions it as a key component in modernizing aircraft maintenance and addressing staff shortages.