Predictive maintenance is no longer an abstract ambition for the MRO sector but a practical tool delivering measurable operational and cost benefits - provided it is deployed with clear intent, cross-functional buy-in and a strong focus on outcomes. That was the clear message from a panel discussion at MRO Middle East examining how airlines, OEMs and MROs are advancing their predictive maintenance strategies.
Moderated by Richard Brown, managing director of NAVEO Consultancy, the session brought together perspectives from an operator, an OEM and an MRO, highlighting both the progress made and the discipline required to extract real value from data-driven maintenance.
Matias Bjerregaard, predictive maintenance specialist at Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), explained that SAS has been implementing predictive maintenance since 2022, following an early assessment of what the market could realistically offer. Rather than attempting to build everything in-house, the airline chose to work with external partners and avoid siloed development, particularly by involving the maintenance control centre (MCC) from the outset.
He stressed that "organisational understanding is as important as technical capability," noting that "awareness of why predictive maintenance is being implemented is critical to overcoming scepticism and ensuring long-term success."
From an MRO perspective, Erkam Ozturk, digital solutions and predictive maintenance manager at Turkish Technic, highlighted the complexity of applying predictive maintenance across a rapidly growing and diverse fleet with multiple engine types. The priority, he said, is "not to add workload for engineers but to reduce operational disruption - particularly aircraft-on-ground (AOG) events."
Turkish Technic is developing its own predictive models while also leveraging platforms such as Skywise, with a strong emphasis on validating real operational outcomes. According to Ozturk, tangible benefits are essential to justify continued investment and to build confidence internally. "Involving technicians early and demonstrating how predictive tools can improve workflow efficiency is key to securing buy-in at the operational level."
Offering the OEM perspective, Darren Macer, principal senior technical fellow for maintenance strategy and vision at Boeing, emphasised that "predictive maintenance is not a one-size-fits-all solution." Airlines, he argued, must "first be clear about what they want to achieve - whether that is reducing maintenance burden, improving reliability or strengthening supply chain planning - before selecting tools or technologies."
Macer noted that "health management concepts have existed for decades, but advances in analytics, connectivity and aircraft data generation are now enabling far more precise, data-driven decision-making." New aircraft programmes, such as the 777X, are providing richer datasets that create a stronger foundation for more accurate predictive maintenance, which he described as "an exciting development for the industry."
Across the discussion, panellists repeatedly returned to the importance of proof. Demonstrated results - reduced costs, fewer AOGs, improved material availability and more resilient supply chains - are the most effective way to overcome scepticism and justify broader adoption. Predictive maintenance, they agreed, delivers value well beyond engineering, influencing planning, inventory management and overall MRO performance.
However, the session also acknowledged ongoing challenges, including the need to prove model robustness and authenticity to regulators, as well as continued debate around data sharing, intellectual property and collaboration across the aviation ecosystem.
To unlock the full potential of predictive maintenance, panellists agreed that transparent communication on the value of data must extend across airlines, MROs, OEMs and the wider supply chain.
