James Bennett, Aerfin Chief Commercial Officer
The aviation aftermarket is facing one of its most pressing challenges to date: a global shortage of qualified maintenance technicians. While demand for aircraft services continues to rise, the supply of skilled labour isn’t keeping pace.
It’s a situation that’s been years in the making. Long-term demographic trends and pandemic-related workforce exits have created a critical gap—especially at the experienced end of the technician spectrum. As highlighted in Oliver Wyman’s Not Enough Aviation Mechanics report, the sector’s pipeline of new talent hasn’t been able to replenish the depth of knowledge that’s been lost.
And yet, this is not a crisis. It’s an opportunity — one AerFin is ready to meet head-on.
The impact on MRO — and the way ahead
Aircraft maintenance is high-stakes, highly specialised work. Delays in the shop floor ripple through operations, disrupting schedules, increasing costs, and placing pressure on frontline teams. But for businesses that are equipped to respond, this market shift opens the door to real competitive advantage.
At AerFin, we’ve taken decisive steps to expand our in-house MRO capabilities over the past 12 months — adding capacity in new facilities, extending our Engine MRO Lite programme, and recruiting highly skilled technicians to support our growth. We’ve built a team with deep knowledge and the flexibility to respond to customer needs with speed, precision and care. But we’re not stopping there.
We know the long-term solution lies in developing talent from the ground up. That’s why we’re championing early careers and apprenticeship routes — bringing in new generations of engineers who will form the foundation of tomorrow’s aftermarket.
From our structured apprenticeship schemes to targeted recruitment across our sites, we’re creating a working environment where learning, development and hands-on experience go hand in hand. Our programmes are designed not just to teach the technical basics, but to embed the mindset, values and safety culture that define AerFin’s approach.
And it’s working. The majority of our apprentices move into full-time roles within the business, helping us build a loyal, skilled, and sustainable workforce.
Why the technician shortage plays to our strengths
We believe this workforce challenge is a chance to do things differently. It pushes us, both as an industry and as an individual business, to be smarter and more agile. It also reinforces our focus on investing in people, which sits at the heart of everything we do.
AerFin is already delivering in key areas:
· MRO capabilities that reduce turnaround times and keep fleets flying
· Strategic recruitment of experienced engineers to boost shopfloor capacity
· Apprenticeship and early-career pathways that build long-term resilience
· Collaboration with customers to plan workloads and optimise support
We’re not waiting for the market to adapt. We’re helping to shape the way ahead.
The Way Ahead – A people-first future
At the heart of our response to the technician shortage is the AerFin Promise – our commitment to creating a workplace where people feel supported, empowered and valued. We know that technical excellence starts with human connection. That’s why we’re investing not just in skills, but in a culture where individuals are recognised for their contribution, and where belonging is built into the way we work.
From mentorship schemes to wellbeing initiatives, we’re creating an environment where every team member, regardless of background or experience, can thrive. It’s not just about attracting talent; it’s about retaining it, by building a strong internal community where people feel they belong, are heard, and can see a future. That’s how we make good on our promise, and how we ensure our team is ready to meet the demands of a fast-moving industry.
Aviation is changing. Sustainability, circularity, and digital transformation are reshaping how we operate—and that makes skilled technicians more valuable than ever.
At AerFin, we’re investing in those people. We’re giving them the tools, the training and the trust to grow with us. Because when we support our people, they go on to support our customers — and that’s how we create value beyond the expected.
The technician shortage isn’t just a challenge. It’s a call to lead. And that’s exactly what we’re doing.