AOG – the pressing demand to return aircraft to service as quickly as possible

Modern commercial aircraft are composed of literally millions of working parts that combine to assemble a fully functioning aircraft – one that can fly and earn revenue for its operators. Should any one, or combination of these millions of components demand replacement or repair, the potential for loss of earnings is great.

AOG (aircraft on the ground) situations occur for multiple reasons; malfunction, possible future malfunction, or post-inspection failure – aircraft are required to undergo regulatory inspection after every 400-600 hours and every 6-8 months. Should the aircraft fail to pass its inspection, it is immediately grounded and enters the no-mans-land of AOG.

Most reasons for grounding can be easily overcome, such as malfunctioning sensors, minor part replacements, or other non-invasive repairs. However, regardless of the reason, loss of revenue due to an AOG situation is the main reason that aircraft need to return to service as quickly as possible.

But what if the AOG aircraft requires a spare part not held in stock by the operator’s MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) business partner? What if that part has to be transported from a distant location, or in a worst-case scenario, a replacement part simply can’t be found? Because of its loss of revenue earning potential, a grounded aircraft can cost as much as $150,000 for a delay of only a couple of hours. And what’s more, that capital loss doesn’t even include the potential damage to the operators’ reputation.

Locatory.com, a family member of the global Avia Solutions Group, is regarded among the world leaders in the aircraft spare parts marketplace – its technologically advanced database contains over 12-billion commercial and military aircraft parts, along with more than 900,000 repair capabilities. Such is the comprehensive nature of its parts portfolio, Locatory.com are key partners to some of the world’s most trusted MRO companies for whom prolonged AOG situations must be avoided at all cost.

According to Salah Marechal, Chief Product Officer, Locatory.com Marketplace, “AOG situations are among the most pressing concerns for modern commercial aviation companies. Returning an aircraft to service is a priority and every tool available is brought into service to ensure that spare parts are searched, sourced, and delivered in the most expedient manner possible. For forward preparedness, the Locatory.com platform also gives the user the tools to analyse and uncover market opportunities, search historical parts demand, offer inventory competition reports, and deliver market trend reports to stay ahead of the curve. In effect, the Locatory.com Marketplace is the go-to crisis-management tool in the majority of AOG situations.”

Before any AOG disaster strikes and inflicts damage to airline schedules, RoI, and reputation, commercial aircraft operators need to develop an AOG strategy that will go a long way towards offsetting any potential calamity. The main focus behind this strategic planning lies in the notion of not ‘if’ but ‘when’ and AOG situation will occur, and how prepared the operator will be to face that situation.

In the world of AOG, time is money, lots of money, and being prepared for every eventually, using every tool possible is key.