Fasting and flight maintenance: how one MRO provider navigates Ramadan

Aviation operates around the clock, and MRO providers must maintain strict safety and service standards regardless of the calendar. But in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia, Ramadan presents a practical consideration: how to support fasting employees while ensuring business continuity. Martynas Grigas, CEO of FL Technics Indonesia, shares how the company approaches this annual period – from adjusted shift times and fatigue management to team-wide celebrations.

In 2026, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan started in the second half of February. Throughout this month, Muslims abstain from food and drink between sunrise and sunset, while devoting more time to prayer and spiritual reflection.

Research from the Harvard Kennedy School suggests that while Ramadan can affect productivity, it also tends to boost employee wellbeing and morale. For aviation companies, capturing these benefits while maintaining safety standards requires a flexible yet structured approach.

Why focusing on employee welfare is paramount for operations and safety

For MRO providers, client commitments do not pause for Ramadan or other occasions, be it religious or secular in nature. The challenge lies in delivering the same level of service while accommodating employees who are fasting. At FL Technics Indonesia, a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider and part of FL Technics Group, operations continue as normal throughout the month, with scheduling driven by operational priority rather than the calendar.

“The majority of our colleagues in both Jakarta and Bali observe Ramadan,” comments Martynas Grigas, CEO of FL Technics Indonesia. “Therefore, we make minor adjustments to our shift scheduling, so that shifts start and end earlier. This allows fasting employees to return home in time to break their fast.”

Fatigue can be a factor during Ramadan, as fasting employees go without food and liquids during daylight hours. To ensure employee welfare and maintain the necessary standards, FL Technics Indonesia uses additional shift planning where needed to manage fatigue, while supervisors closely monitor employee wellbeing throughout the period.

Operating in a carefully regulated sector, MRO providers must uphold the strictest safety standards at any time of year, and Ramadan is no exception.

“Our supervisors pay close attention to employee readiness during Ramadan, and they also closely monitor operations as always,” explains Martynas Grigas. “One major asset that we have is the close collaboration between our Muslim and non-Muslim employees. This ensures we have strong communication within the team and there is consistent performance and compliance.”

While there are no significant changes to shift schedules and workload distribution, being flexible is crucial to support employees who are fasting.

“During Ramadan, we do not make any significant operational changes, and workload and task allocation follow standard operational procedures. So, from a client’s perspective, it is very much business as usual,” explains Martynas Grigas.

A time to come together as a team

Ramadan is also an important moment in the calendar for team bonding. Companies across Muslim-majority countries put on various initiatives to help employees celebrate this important festival and bring together diverse teams.

“One initiative we follow is providing snack packs twice per week for Iftar, the fast-breaking meal eaten at sunset. These are given as take-home provisions for the journey home, and support any of our fasting employees who may still be commuting at sunset,” explains Martynas Grigas.

The highlight of the Ramadan period at FL Technics Indonesia is a traditional staff dinner.

“This is attended by all employees and management, irrespective of their religion or cultural background. It is a very important date in the year for our team, and is always a positive and enjoyable night,” says Martynas Grigas.