Ryanair has broken ground on a new, four-bay airframe maintenance hangar at Dublin Airport and is considering a move to insource some engine overhauls to help offset aftermarket supply chain constraints.
Unveiled in 2023, the €40 million ($41.7 million) hangar will support both line and heavy maintenance and expand the company’s internal MRO capabilities. The airline outsources the majority of its airframe maintenance but also has several facilities around Europe.
Like most LCCs, the airline relies on third-party providers for engine maintenance support. But the current state of the engine aftermarket supply chain has executives re-thinking their strategy.
“There are, over the medium term, supply chain challenges, particularly with engine maintenance shops around the world,” Ryanair Group CEO Michael O'Leary said on the carrier’s recent earnings call. “We are actively engaged in a process where we’re looking at setting up one or two engine maintenance shops in-house ourselves over the next 12 or 18 months.”
O’Leary did not provide details on the potential insourcing project. A query to the airline yielded no additional information.
Ryanair’s fleet plans have been in a regular state of flux in recent years due to ongoing Boeing delivery delays. The airline group’s 609-aircraft fleet includes more than 400 737 Next Generation models powered by CFM56-7Bs and 172 Leap 1B-powered 737-8-200s. Ryanair has another 187 737 MAX variants on order.
Delays in 737 MAX deliveries have forced the airline to curtail expansion plans and keep more, older 737s flying to meet its current schedule.
Broader challenges to other current-generation narrowbody fleets, notably groundings linked to Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan-powered Airbus A320neos and A220s, have added pressure to keep older assets flying longer. This has led to long wait times for shop overhaul slots and spare parts needed to keep engines moving once they are inducted.
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