Earnings at Airbus have taken an expected hit as the company transitions from development of new aircraft programs to full-scale production.

This is a collection of some of the thought-provoking and controversial quotes from MRO Europe 2016 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, October 18 - 20.

Every few years, a new technology with the potential to transform parts of the aviation maintenance industry comes along to fan the flames of excitement. In recent years, the spotlight has fallen on tech such as wearable devices, drones for inspections, and increasingly so in the past year, virtual reality (VR) applications.

In the year 2026, the North American in-service engine fleet is expected to reach more than 21,500. The LEAP engine will lead the fleet, making up 29% of the overall fleet size.

OEM incursion in the aftermarket is becoming a more pressing concern for the many MROs. However, while some see this as a challenge, others view it as a opportunity for building stronger relationships and aiding growth opportunities.

Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier is to cut a further 10% of its workforce as it seeks to restructure following slow sales of its flagship CSeries program.

After opening its new MRO shop in Medellin last week, Avianca is well-positioned to provide a hub for airlines looking to carry out third party work in Latin America. Chris Kjelgaard looks at the workshop's capabilities.

Chris Dare, managing director and chief information officer of Monarch Aircraft Engineering (MAEL), spoke to James Pozzi at MRO Europe about the future plans of the UK-based MRO.