European MRO providers must strengthen regional supply chains and technical capabilities while maintaining the international partnerships essential to supporting global aviation operations, industry leaders have warned.
Speaking during a panel discussion at this week’s MRO Europe 2026 in Amsterdam, executives from Lufthansa Technik, HAECO and AFI KLM E&M examined how geopolitical uncertainty, trade restrictions and continued capacity pressures are reshaping the maintenance sector.
The discussion, titled 'Beyond the Hangar: How MRO is Taking Flight in Europe Toward Strategic Sovereignty', highlighted the challenges of balancing Europe's ambitions for greater industrial independence with the realities of an internationally connected industry.
David Doyle, vice president of corporate strategy at Lufthansa Technik, emphasised the sector's dependence on global component supply chains, particularly in engine maintenance, which accounts for approximately half of the MRO market.
"MRO is a global business with millions of parts circulating every day," he said, warning that significant disruption to established trade flows could have serious consequences for operators and maintenance providers.
Doyle highlighted increasing difficulties in sourcing certain engine components and called for European manufacturers to strengthen their capabilities to help address supply shortages.
He also revealed that geopolitical developments and customs challenges have prompted Lufthansa Technik to reconsider aspects of its component logistics strategy, including the creation of dedicated European Union parts pools and changes to how it serves US customers.
Klaus-Peter Leinauer, senior vice president of corporate sales for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at HAECO, similarly identified tariffs as a significant challenge, although he emphasised aviation's ability to adapt.
"What I like about aviation is its resilience," he said, highlighting the industry's ability to "find solutions to difficult trading conditions."
Peter van Helden, senior vice president of component product at AFI KLM E&M, said the company's international repair network helps mitigate disruption by positioning capabilities closer to customers and reducing unnecessary component movements.
Expanding regional capabilities and maintaining efficient logistics networks are increasingly important to ensuring maintenance providers can meet their commitments, he explained.
Capacity and workforce pressures
Despite strong demand for maintenance services, the panellists acknowledged that capacity constraints and component shortages continue to affect the industry's ability to support airline operations.
"Demand is there and we need to make sure the slots are available," van Helden said, describing the current environment as a "golden age" for organisations holding available spare parts.
Leinauer agreed that supply and demand imbalances remain a major challenge, noting that maintenance slot availability is still extremely tight.
However, he said investments in facilities, new technologies and artificial intelligence are "beginning to deliver improvements."
For Lufthansa Technik, Doyle suggested that supply chain limitations are currently a greater concern than workforce recruitment.
The company has invested in tooling, technical knowledge and apprenticeship programmes to support its operations, although retaining experienced personnel remains essential to transferring expertise to younger employees.
Europe's strategic position
The discussion also explored how Europe can strengthen its competitiveness without compromising the international relationships on which MRO depends.
Doyle pointed to Lufthansa Technik's investment in a new Portuguese facility as an example of Europe's strengths, particularly access to skilled labour and established apprenticeship systems.
However, he stressed that "investment decisions must remain balanced across global markets."
Leinauer argued that cost is no longer necessarily the determining factor when establishing maintenance facilities, with quality, safety and operational efficiency increasingly influencing investment decisions.
Meanwhile, Doyle suggested that MRO's strategic importance deserves greater recognition from policymakers.
Despite the industry's substantial economic contribution and employment footprint, he observed that MRO lacks a unified representative organisation comparable to those operating elsewhere in aviation.
Establishing a stronger collective platform could help the sector articulate its priorities and protect its interests amid growing geopolitical uncertainty.
Sustainability and future investment
Sustainability was another key theme, with the executives agreeing that environmental performance is becoming increasingly important to customers and maintenance providers.
Van Helden highlighted the benefits of deeper component repair rather than replacement, arguing that extending asset life offers both environmental and commercial advantages.
"The business case for sustainability is there," he said, although regulatory complexity and bureaucracy can present obstacles.
Doyle similarly called for greater consistency in sustainability requirements, arguing that a level regulatory playing field is essential to supporting industry-wide progress.
The panel also considered the impact of mergers and acquisitions, including Lufthansa Technik's proposed 44.9% investment in TAP Air Portugal.
Responding to an audience question, Doyle confirmed that the transaction had not yet closed and explained that the proposed minority stake would not provide Lufthansa Technik with operational control, meaning any closer integration would require a greater ownership position.
Overall, the discussion reinforced the importance of strengthening European MRO capabilities while preserving the global networks, technical partnerships and international trade relationships essential to keeping aircraft flying.
