This article is based on an official press release from AerFin.

On April 20, 2026, UK-based aviation asset specialist AerFin announced the official launch of its V2500 engine support capability. The announcement was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the MRO Americas 2026 trade show in Orlando, Florida, where the company is currently exhibiting its “AerFin Delivers” campaign to an audience of over 17,000 industry professionals.

According to the company’s press release, AerFin has successfully secured triple regulatory accreditation from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This certification allows the company to perform targeted light maintenance and inspection services on the V2500 engine, which serves as a primary powerplant for the Airbus A320ceo family.

We note that this development strategically positions AerFin to capture growing demand from commercial airlines and leasing companies. As the global fleet of V2500 engines ages and enters heavier maintenance cycles, operators are increasingly seeking fast, cost-effective maintenance solutions to keep their aircraft flying.

Expanding “MRO Lite” Capabilities

Comprehensive Engine Services

The newly announced V2500 capability covers a broad spectrum of light maintenance interventions. Based on the official announcement, AerFin will now offer end-of-lease inspections, pre-buy checks, C checks, borescope inspections, Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) replacements, full visual inspections, and storage or preservation solutions.

These services will be conducted at AerFin’s recently opened global headquarters at Indurent Park in Newport, South Wales. The company relocated to this custom-built, 116,000-square-foot facility in January 2025. The site features 26 dedicated engine bays, which effectively doubled the company’s engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) capacity, allowing it to handle up to 200 “quick-turn” engine shop visits annually.

This addition builds directly upon AerFin’s existing “Engine MRO Lite” portfolio, which already provides similar services for the CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines. By adding the V2500, AerFin now offers a comprehensive narrowbody maintenance portfolio that covers the two most prominent aircraft families in global short-haul aviation: the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737.

Addressing Global Supply Chain Bottlenecks

The V2500 Market Footprint

The V2500 engine, manufactured by the International Aero Engines (IAE) consortium, which includes Pratt & Whitney, Japanese Aero Engine Corporation, and MTU Aero Engines, powers approximately 3,000 Airbus A320ceo family aircraft globally. First entering service in the late 1980s, a massive wave of these engines is currently hitting the 20,000 flight-cycle mark. This milestone traditionally triggers heavy maintenance and the mandatory replacement of Life Limited Parts (LLPs).

In the company’s press release, AerFin leadership emphasized the critical timing of this new service offering.

“Securing V2500 accreditation is an important step for AerFin and for our customers. This is a platform that continues to underpin global narrowbody operations, and the need for reliable, timely support has never been greater,” stated Simon Bayliss, Chief Operating Officer at AerFin.

Bayliss further noted the importance of early intervention for aging fleets.

“What matters here is access to the right insight at the right time. With V2500 engines moving into heavier checks, understanding condition early and acting quickly can make a real difference. Our capability allows us to assess, advise and intervene where needed – whether that’s through inspection, targeted replacements or ongoing maintenance support. It’s about helping customers stay ahead of issues and keep their fleets moving,” Bayliss added.

AirPro News analysis

At AirPro News, we view AerFin’s expansion into V2500 light maintenance as a highly strategic bottleneck-breaker for the aviation industry. Traditional, full-scale engine overhaul shops are currently facing severe global backlogs driven by persistent supply chain constraints, parts shortages, and a deficit of skilled labor.

AerFin’s “MRO Lite” model provides a critical relief valve for operators. By offering targeted, quick-turn interventions, such as LRU replacements or borescope inspections, in-house, AerFin enables airlines to avoid sending engines to heavily backlogged third-party overhaul facilities for relatively minor issues. Furthermore, with a significant portion of the global A320 fleet owned by leasing companies, services like end-of-lease inspections and preservation solutions are vital for protecting asset values as aging aircraft transition between operators. Ultimately, localized and rapid interventions allow airlines to maximize the “time on wing” of their engines, effectively delaying multi-million-dollar heavy overhauls during a period of intense industry-wide cost sensitivity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the V2500 engine?
The V2500 is a highly successful commercial aircraft engine designed and manufactured by International Aero Engines (IAE). It is one of the primary engine options for the Airbus A320ceo family, powering roughly 3,000 aircraft worldwide.

What specific services is AerFin offering for the V2500?
AerFin is providing “light maintenance” services, which include end-of-lease inspections, pre-buy checks, C checks, borescope inspections, LRU replacements, full visual inspections, and engine preservation solutions.

Where will these maintenance services be performed?
The services will be delivered from AerFin’s new 116,000-square-foot global headquarters at Indurent Park in Newport, South Wales, which features 26 dedicated engine bays.

Sources

• AerFin Official Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from Pratt & Whitney Canada (an RTX business).

Pratt & Whitney Canada officially opened its new 130,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Casablanca, Morocco, today. The plant, located in Nouaceur’s Midparc Industrial Zone, will produce detailed static and structural machined parts for aircraft engines, most notably the renowned PT6 engine family.

According to the official press release, the Pratt & Whitney Maroc (PWM) facility is expected to create approximately 200 new jobs by 2030. This expansion adds critical production capacity to meet the growing global demand for dependable engine components among the company’s diverse customer base.

The opening marks a significant milestone in the region’s aerospace development. It highlights a broader industry trend of nearshoring and building resilient supply chains, while cementing Morocco’s status as a highly capable, technologically advanced manufacturing hub on the doorstep of Europe.

Facility Details and Production Focus

Advancing the PT6 Engine Legacy

The new greenfield site spans 130,000 square feet and was designed using lean manufacturing principles. The company states that the facility incorporates advanced digital systems and environmental practices to drive operational excellence, quality, and efficiency.

Production at the Casablanca plant will focus heavily on supporting the PT6 engine family. Industry data notes that the PT6, introduced in 1963, is widely considered the gold standard for turboprop aircraft. To date, over 51,000 PT6 engines have been produced, amassing more than 500 million flight hours globally.

“This site is a strategic extension of our global production network and demonstrates our commitment to building resilient supply chains worldwide that will enable us to increase production for our customers,” said Maria Della Posta, president of Pratt & Whitney Canada, in the press release.

Morocco’s Growing Aerospace Ecosystem

A Strategic Hub at Europe’s Doorstep

The rapid progression of the PWM facility, from its initial announcement at the June 2023 Paris Air Show to its groundbreaking on May 27, 2024, and today’s operational opening, underscores the efficiency of Morocco’s aerospace sector. The Midparc Free Zone offers modern infrastructure, a competitive 15% corporate tax rate, and close proximity to European markets, making it an attractive destination for global aerospace giants.

Pratt & Whitney is not the only RTX business operating in the region. Sister company Collins Aerospace has been manufacturing cockpit solutions and flight controls in Morocco since 2012. With the addition of the new PWM facility, RTX’s total workforce in the kingdom will reach approximately 250 employees.

The Moroccan government has heavily supported this sector through specialized training programs, such as the Institute of Aeronautical Professions (IMA), ensuring a steady pipeline of highly qualified workers. According to industry reports, the country’s aerospace industry now encompasses over 140 companies and employs more than 25,000 skilled workers, with sector exports surpassing a historic 30 billion dirhams (approximately $3 billion USD) in 2024.

“The presence in Morocco of a major global player in the sector is further recognition that Morocco’s aerospace base is now a must, on Europe’s doorstep, thanks to its competitiveness and quality,” stated Hamid Benbrahim El Andaloussi, President of Midparc.

AirPro News analysis

We observe that Pratt & Whitney’s investment in Casablanca is indicative of a post-pandemic shift toward de-risking global supply chains. By establishing operations in a politically stable region with direct logistical ties to both Europe and North America, aerospace manufacturers are prioritizing supply chain stability over traditional low-cost outsourcing models.

Furthermore, this move positions Pratt & Whitney geographically closer to its growing African customer base, which currently operates over 3,000 of the company’s engines. Alongside recent investments by other major players, such as French aerospace group Safran, which inaugurated a €280 million ($300 million) aircraft landing systems plant in the same zone in February 2026, Morocco has clearly evolved into a strategic partner capable of handling complex, safety-critical aerospace manufacturing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the new Pratt & Whitney facility located?
The facility is located in the Midparc Industrial Zone in Nouaceur, near Casablanca, Morocco.

How many jobs will the new plant create?
According to the company, the facility is expected to create approximately 200 new jobs by 2030.

What will the Casablanca facility produce?
It will manufacture detailed static and structural machined parts for Pratt & Whitney Canada’s aircraft engines, specifically supporting the PT6 engine family.

When did construction on the facility begin?
Groundbreaking for the facility took place on May 27, 2024, following an initial announcement at the Paris Air Show in June 2023.

Sources

• Pratt & Whitney Canada Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from B&H Worldwide.

B&H Worldwide, a global aerospace logistics provider, has successfully deployed new AI-driven tire scanning technology at its New Zealand facility. The initiative marks a significant step in the company’s digital transformation efforts, aiming to streamline operations and improve accuracy in handling high-value aerospace components.

According to an official press release from the company, the new system integrates directly into B&H Worldwide’s proprietary FirstTRAC platform. By replacing traditional manual data entry with advanced computer vision and Optical Character Recognition (OCR), the logistics firm has reported a 60% reduction in inventory processing times.

As aerospace supply chains face mounting complexity and strict regulatory compliance demands, the New Zealand station was chosen as the global pilot site for this technological upgrade. The successful rollout is expected to pave the way for broader implementation across the company’s international network.

Redefining Accuracy and Speed in Aerospace Logistics

Prior to the introduction of the AI-powered scanning technology, tire logistics at B&H Worldwide relied heavily on manual intervention. This traditional approach carried inherent risks of human error and often resulted in delayed reporting, which can be particularly problematic in the fast-paced aviation sector.

The newly implemented system transforms standard smartphones and tablets into high-performance scanners. Staff can now instantly read both standard barcodes and complex tire serial numbers directly from the sidewall of the tires. The company states that this shift has yielded immediate and measurable improvements across key operational metrics.

Specifically, inventory handling time has decreased from an average of four minutes per unit to just one minute. Furthermore, error rates have been cut by 80% to 90%, pushing data accuracy above 99%. Overall productivity, measured in units processed per hour, has seen an approximate 30% increase, according to the release.

Seamless Integration and Strategic Benefits

The technological backbone of this initiative relies on a dual-integration approach developed by B&H Worldwide’s IT team. The system utilizes the Anyline Mobile SDK for iOS and Android devices, alongside the Anyline Web SDK for web applications, ensuring a unified data stream within the FirstTRAC warehouse management system.

This seamless integration allows stock checks, dispatch requests, and bulk inventory uploads to be updated in real time. For customers, including leading global tire manufacturers, this translates to unparalleled visibility into their high-value assets and a simplified process for regulatory compliance through a reliable digital audit trail.

The pilot program was initiated as part of B&H Worldwide’s internal continuous improvement strategy. However, the resulting benefits extend directly to its partners, ensuring complete stock integrity for used tire casing movements and enhancing overall service quality.

“This implementation represents a significant step forward in how we manage high-value, safety-critical inventory. By introducing real-time tyre scanning, we’ve improved accuracy, speed and traceability across our operations,” said Lee Hedges, Branch Manager of B&H Worldwide New Zealand, in the company’s press release.

Future Outlook and Global Expansion

Following the success of the New Zealand pilot, B&H Worldwide has established a blueprint for a global rollout of the AI scanning technology. The company has announced that its facility in Melbourne, Australia, is scheduled as the next site for implementation.

This digitization strategy also aligns with broader sustainability goals. By reducing reliance on paper and minimizing the carbon footprint associated with logistical rework and manual reconciliation, the company aims to promote more environmentally friendly operations across its global network.

AirPro News analysis

The integration of AI and OCR technology into warehouse management systems is becoming increasingly critical for specialized logistics providers. In the aerospace sector, where component traceability and safety are paramount, the ability to accurately track assets like aircraft tires in real time offers a distinct competitive advantage.

B&H Worldwide’s reported metrics, particularly the 60% reduction in processing time and the near-elimination of data entry errors, highlight the tangible return on investment that digital transformation can deliver. As the company expands this technology to Melbourne and beyond, we anticipate it will set a new operational standard that other aerospace logistics firms may need to adopt to remain competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What technology is B&H Worldwide using for tire scanning?

The company is utilizing a mobile-based scanning SDK that employs computer vision and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to capture tire data, including barcodes and serial numbers, directly from the tire sidewall.

How much has processing time improved?

According to the company, inventory handling time has dropped from an average of four minutes per unit to just one minute, representing a 60% improvement in processing efficiency.

Where is the technology being implemented next?

After a successful pilot program at its New Zealand station, B&H Worldwide plans to roll out the technology at its facility in Melbourne, Australia.

Sources

• B&H Worldwide