As good as new: how used parts can benefit sustainable engine support?

The practice of re-using parts is gaining ground in the field of engine support: it’s a way to not only optimize costs, but also to alleviate some of the pressure on the new parts market. 

When a part cannot be repaired or reaches the end of its lifespan, it will need to be replaced: when this happens, the availability of replacement parts becomes a critical issue for fleet operators, who risk seeing their TATs derailed or AOG incidents dragging on for longer than they should. These issues are all the more pressing in the current period – in the wake of the health crisis, demand for engine support is so high that engine and component manufacturers are struggling to adjust their production rhythms. 

An Airline-MRO such as AFI KLM E&M is able to limit risk by drawing upon the extensive stockpiles maintained on behalf of its parent companies and customer fleets; however, in addition to using its buying power to obtain new parts from manufacturers, AFI KLM E&M is also leaning into the application of used materials, or USM.  

Reconditioning of parts on the rise 

This practice isn’t new, but is becoming more widespread: with the global uptick in fleet renewal and the surging market for upcycled parts from retired aircraft, the availability of USM is increasing. AFI KLM E&M has developed a depth of expertise in this type of sourcing, whether from intermediary specialists or from directly within its global MRO network. For example, its Miami-based subsidiary Bonus Tech specializes in dismantling, and works with a wide range of engines.

“We use USMs in a variety of situations. Also as part of our strategy and in order to meet our sustainability commitments, we develop the utilization of used materials and repairs avoiding when possible the need for new parts or raw materials. This enables us to cover our needs when a part is going to take too long to repair, or when there’s a shortage within the new parts market," explains Feddo Draaisma, Supply Chain & Vendor Manager at the AFI KLM E&M Engine department in Amsterdam.

Parts with proven reliability 

Highly advantageous in terms of their availability and environmental benefits, these parts are of course subject to strict conditions of use:

“All our USMs are given a full servicing prior to installation, whether they’ve been sourced from our own supply chains or external suppliers. They are fully compliant with the technical and quality standards required by our customers, and the latest regulatory stipulations,” explains Feddo Draaisma.

“USMs offer proven reliability, to the extent that they’ve already been put into use without any incidents whatsoever. Uncompromising traceability is a major issue when it comes to USM. No tolerance is allowed. All the USMs we employ carry a full certification history, from their factory issue to their most recent use. These must, of course, indicate that no incident has occurred involving the part in question,” explains further Danny Budding, Parts Trading, Salvation & Scrap Plaza Manager at AFI KLM E&M Amsterdam.

Rapidity and competitiveness 

Another aspect fueling this market’s development is its competitive angle.

“The key benefit is cost. We’re able to rapidly acquire all types of components for the repair of our customers’ engines, at prices which are considerably lower than those on the new parts market. This is a particularly interesting consideration for engines whose remaining service lifespan is limited, and for which the cost of investing in new parts would simply be too high to make sense,”confirms Danny Budding.  

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