Riviera Maya, Mexico (May 15, 2017) – Innovation, technology, efficiency and regulations were the key themes of the first day of the ALTA CCMA & Aircraft MRO Conference.

The day’s agenda included airline and supplier meetings, panel discussions, interactive sessions, working meetings, and hundreds of one-on-one mini-meetings between airline technical purchasing executives and industry suppliers, facilitating the purchasing power of aeronautical materials. In addition, more than 30 industry providers showcased their products and services at the conference’s exhibition hall.

During the opening session, ALTA’s Executive Director Eduardo Iglesias provided an overview of current trends and future challenges of the Latin America and Caribbean air transport industry and stressed the importance of efficient infrastructure development, customs regulation facilitation, and above all regulatory harmonization. “Doubling the number of passengers and aircraft over the next 10 to 15 years requires a proactive role from all stakeholders, including governments, regulators and airports if we all want to create more jobs, connect more communities, further economic development and opportunities for all,” said Iglesias.

Miguel Montoya, President of ALTA’s Technical Maintenance Committee and Vice President of Maintenance and Operations for Avianca, also welcomed attendees to the conference.

Current Landscape and Future Challenges in the Regional MRO Industry

A panel, moderated by Hal Chrisman, Vice President of ICF International, focused on the current landscape and future challenges in the regional maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry in terms of technology, cost savings, changes in workforce, and operational efficiency. Speakers on the panel included Mexicana MRO CEO Marcos Rosales, COOPESA Operations Director Walter Ching, Aeroman CEO Alejandro Echevierría, and AAR Corp. – Aviation Service Group Vice President of Sales and Marketing Carl Glover.

The panel started with an overview of the MRO industry in the region. Maintenance, repair and overhaul demand in Latin America and the Caribbean is projected to grow at an average rate of 5.5 percent over the next 10 years, as well as additional demand coming to the region at an increasing rate from other parts of the world. In addition, four external macro-economic drivers were discussed that are currently influencing the airline and MRO industry: increasing fuel costs, an increase in U.S. interest rates, strengthening of the U.S. dollar, and the growth of populism/nationalism and its impact to global trade.

The panel also discussed:
The importance of MRO infrastructure and how to finance growth.
Latin America is in the midst of an “LCC Renaissance.”
Areas of concern in the region include slot availability at regional MROs and the capacity of repair shops needed so airlines do not need to send components abroad for repairs to the places such the U.S. and European Union.
There are opportunities for greater airline collaboration and partnership with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), as well as airline alliances and equity partners, and MRO integrators, can generate cost savings.
Strong quality and safety systems in an MRO can help satisfy airline requirements in turn-around time, costs and safety.
How to keep up with the rapid development in technology integration of new products and services.
Certifications and Regulatory

An interactive session led by FAA Manager of Aircraft Maintenance Division Tim Shaver focused on certifications and the regulatory front, including MRO standardized audit and data sharing.

Positive growth of the Latin America and Caribbean region brings new challenges and opportunities. As traffic projections indicate that more aircraft will be flying in the region, MRO is one of the most important components of the airline structure. In order to achieve greater efficiency with the highest level of safety standards, procedures and facilities, the FAA presented an alternative program to introduce an audit that will improve MROs in the region.

ALTA Aircraft Parts Solutions (AAPS) Service

ALTA officially rolled out a new tool today at the conference. Designed to meet the growing needs of the aircraft parts segment of the aviation industry, ALTA’s Aircraft Parts Solution (AAPS) was created by the airlines and will be managed by ALTA. This unique facilitating service, provided by ALTA exclusively to its members, provides the mutually beneficial platform for the association’s airline members and affiliate members to work together. The all-in-one solution allows both airlines and suppliers to upload their most up-to-date parts inventory and needs. Suppliers and airlines can provide information on their inventories and airlines can also submit their request for quotes to suppliers.