LARA Magazine speaks to President of AJW Technique, Louis Mallette, about the demand for component overhaul services. Mallette begins by confirming that demand is on the rise, stating that AJW Technique is “seeing a continued high level of demand across our component MRO portfolio.” 

 

Expanding, he notes that “Delays in aircraft deliveries, as well as in-service issues causing the grounding of new-generation aircraft, has reduced availability on narrowbody fleets – including the A220, A320 and Boeing 737.” As a result, Mallette observes that AJW is seeing an increased and extended use of narrowbody and regional aircraft, as aircraft remain in service longer than anticipated. 

 

“This, coupled with high overall market demand, is resulting in a continued demand for component repair to enable these older aircraft to remain in operation beyond their expected predicted retirement,” he says. 

Like other MROs, combatting supply chain issues continues to be AJW Technique’s major challenge - with extended lead times and delays in spare part deliveries increasing turnaround times for its component repairs.  

 

How has the MRO industry mitigated this, LARA Magazine asks? Mallette replies that the sector has been utilising used serviceable material (USM) where available, although he observes that there has been a slowdown in this too, as USM is affected by the reduction in the number of aircraft retirements.  

Confronting this situation is done at group level, Mallette comments. “AJW is tackling this challenge with a comprehensive strategy that addresses both pressing needs and long-term sustainability objectives.” 

 

Turning to the topic of a greener aviation industry, Mallette notes that AJW Technique’s component repair services form a key element of its sustainability strategy, with its procurement teams prioritising sourcing sustainable materials and reducing the environmental impact of its repair processes. 

 

Finally, LARA Magazine asks Mallette how he feels about the ongoing situation of airlines phasing out older aircraft in favour of newer variants. The AJW Technique president replies that he sees this change as an opportunity for AJW Group.  

 

Particularly excited about the A220, he states that “The A220 presents a significant opportunity for AJW to introduce new capabilities. Being based in Montreal, we are ideally located to support the North Amercian A220 customer base.” 

 

Finally, Mallette adds that AJW is likewise ideally positioned to provide component maintenance solutions and is confident that any potential reduction in MRO services for older aircraft components won’t have a detrimental effect on business success. “In the medium term, we expect opportunities from newer variants to more than outweigh any potential reductions we see in our current regional business,” he asserts.