Airframe OEMs are seeing new business opportunities and aftermarket revenue streams for their next generation of commercial jets, but customer support will not be business as usual.

Expect shortage of 777 spares to last at least a couple more years

Kelly Ortberg became CEO of Rockwell Collins on Aug. 1

Third-party revenue at Air France-KLM Group’s Engineering & Maintenance (AFI KLM E&M) unit is on the rise as the entity adjusts its focus to more profitable work and trims costs through streamlined operations. Revenues from outside the group are up 19.6% to €621 million ($824 million) for the first half of 2013, including a 20.4% increase in the second quarter, group executives explained during of the company’s first half earnings call. 

Tying a potential repair station safety management system (SMS) mandate to specific criteria, such as work performed on transport category aircraft, could be an acceptable alternative to a broad rule covering all FAA-certified facilities, a survey of MRO executives suggests. The survey, conducted by St. Louis University’s Center for Aviation Safety Research (CASR), generated about 440 responses from repair stations of all sizes, including some foreign facilities. 

AAR Corp. sees solid growth in its commercial airframe and component maintenance businesses near-term, continuing a steady upward trend that is helping the maintenance, airlift, and cargo systems supplier offset declining demand from its defense customers.

Boeing has asked operators to inspect Honeywell-made emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) installed on 717, 737NG, 747-400, 767 and 777 aircraft less than two weeks after the U.K. Air Accidents Investigation Branch highlighted possible problems with a Honeywell ELT onboard the Ethiopian Airlines 787 that was damaged by fire at London Heathrow Airport July 12.

A Qatar Airways Boeing 787 was involved in a smoke incident at Doha International Airport earlier this week, say sources familiar with the situation. Smoke is understood to have been discovered towards the rear of the aircraft cabin, possibly originating in the equipment bay, the sources say.