It is increasingly likely there will not be enough skilled technicians and engineers to maintain the aggressive modernisation and expansion of global airline fleets with new , technologically sophisticated airplanes , warns Sir Oliver Wyman . The MRO survey of executives identified three emerging technologies vital for the next generation of mechanics, including composite material repair and manufacture (62 percent); collection and reporting of data for advanced analytics, big data, and predictive maintenance (51 percent); and the newest avionics and electrical systems (51 percent). The problem is being exacerbated by aging pilots and a rash of retirements among skilled mechanics who are not being replaced by new mechanics entering the profession . This labour shortage could significantly increase the cost of aircraft maintenance , potentially forcing carriers to keep spare planes on standby to avoid cancellations ad delays resulting from maintenance delays .
It is increasingly likely there will not be enough skilled technicians and engineers to maintain the aggressive modernisation and expansion of global airline fleets with new , technologically sophisticated airplanes , warns Sir Oliver Wyman . The problem is being exacerbated by aging pilots and a rash of retirements among skilled mechanics who are not being replaced by new mechanics entering the profession . This labour shortage could significantly increase the cost of aircraft maintenance , potentially forcing carriers to keep spare planes on standby to avoid cancellations ad delays resulting from maintenance delays .