Aircraft Maintenance

Aircraft maintenance and MRO companies

Aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) companies keep aircraft airworthy. Work ranges from line maintenance on the ramp and scheduled inspections to heavy base checks, structural repairs, modifications, paint, and the overhaul of engines, landing gear, wheels, brakes and other components. Customers include airlines, charter operators, business jet owners, flight schools and helicopter operators.

The key thing to check is the approval. In Europe and the UK, maintenance organisations hold a Part-145 approval; in the United States, an FAA Part 145 repair station certificate. Make sure the approval's ratings cover your aircraft type, engine or component, and ask about hangar capacity, turnaround times and AOG support. Continuing airworthiness management (Part-CAMO in Europe) is a separate approval that some MROs also hold.

There are 154 maintenance companies listed. Countries with the most listings include South Africa (7), Bulgaria (6), Germany (6), Estonia (5), the United Kingdom (5) and Morocco (5). Examples:

• ACC COLUMBIA Jet, an aircraft maintenance and modification company in Germany
• Aero Technic BG, an EASA and UK CAA certified component MRO in Bulgaria
• Aerospace MRO Co, overhauling wheels, brakes and components in Thailand
• ACES Systems, supplying vibration analysis and balancing equipment
• AFEXS (Airframe Experts), an ASA-100 certified technical support and supply chain company

Maintenance work depends on aircraft parts suppliers and avionics shops, and owners often hand oversight to an aircraft management company. Read our list of the best aircraft maintenance companies, the private jet maintenance guide and our piece on the role of aircraft maintenance engineers.