Severe supply chain bottlenecks and delayed new aircraft deliveries are driving acute shortages of critical engine and avionics components across the global aviation aftermarket, according to May 2026 marketplace data published by Locatory.

The aviation parts locator platform released its analysis on June 3, 2026, detailing the top 50 most searched and hardest-to-find aircraft parts. The data indicates that operators are being forced to extend the operational life of legacy fleets, including the Boeing 737 Next Generation, Airbus A320ceo, and Boeing 777 families. This extension directly suppresses the teardown activity that typically supplies the Used Serviceable Material (USM) market.

Legacy fleet extensions strain component availability

Delays in new aircraft programs, such as the Boeing 777X, have prompted airlines to retain older airframes like the Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 777F longer than originally planned. This delayed retirement cycle restricts the flow of parts into the USM channel, which traditionally acts as a buffer against open-market scarcity.

Compounding the physical shortage of parts is a growing backlog within the approved repair ecosystem. Locatory notes that repair-cycle Turnaround Time (TAT) has emerged as a primary constraint for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) providers. Even when unserviceable units are located, delays in returning them to serviceable condition keep the available pool of ready-to-install components exceptionally tight.

Engine cores and avionics face peak demand

High demand is heavily concentrated on narrowbody engine-core parts, specifically for CFM International CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines. Pneumatic systems and Integrated Drive Generators (IDGs) are also experiencing elevated search volumes as operators prepare for peak summer utilization in Q3 2026. Anticipated summer flight schedules are expected to further strain the supply of environmental control systems, cooling components, and dispatch-critical avionics.

Widebody platforms are facing similar supply-side pressure. A January 2026 directive from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding GE Aerospace GE90 High Pressure Turbine (HPT) disks has driven an increase in shop visits for Boeing 777 engines. Consequently, GE90 components, particularly Full Authority Digital Engine Controls (FADECs) and Hydro-Mechanical Units (HMUs), have become critically difficult to source.

AirPro News analysis

We anticipate that the structural constraints identified in the May 2026 data will persist well into the next year. The aviation aftermarket is currently caught in a feedback loop where new aircraft delivery delays force legacy fleet extensions, which in turn choke off the USM supply required to maintain those very legacy aircraft. Until Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) can stabilize new production rates and clear delivery backlogs, MROs and airlines will continue to face inflated procurement costs and extended TATs for dispatch-critical components.

Sources: Locatory

Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, announced a $63 million (RM256 million) investment on June 9, 2026, to quadruple its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) footprint at Subang Aerotech Park in Selangor, Malaysia. The expansion establishes a regional hub for advanced component repair to support the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific Commercial-Aircraft fleet.

In a press release, the company detailed plans to increase the facility’s size from 46,000 to 164,000 square feet. The transition to the new site is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. The expanded hub will focus on servicing critical systems for widebody aircraft, specifically the Boeing 787, Boeing 777, and Airbus A380.

Regional capacity and component focus

The Subang facility will specialize in the maintenance of environmental and power components. Supported equipment includes air cycle machines, heat exchangers, valves, and new generation starters. Industry projections indicate that MRO demand in the Asia-Pacific region will double over the next two decades, prompting Manufacturers to localize aftermarket support.

Irene Makris, President of Power & Controls at Collins Aerospace, stated that the region is a key growth market for the industry and that the investment ensures the company can scale alongside its customer base.

“Malaysia offers the right environment for us to scale, and we are planning to double employment opportunities for skilled talent in the region to keep pace with growing demand,” Makris said. “The Subang expansion optimizes operations and regional support for our customers, providing faster turnaround times and more efficient service.”

Workforce expansion and government support

Malaysian Minister of Transport YB Loke Siew Fook framed the investment as a validation of the country’s aerospace infrastructure and workforce capabilities. He noted that the project aligns with national goals to anchor high-value, skills-intensive growth within the local economy.

“Malaysia warmly welcomes Collins Aerospace’s expansion of its MRO footprint in Subang, a vote of confidence not just in our infrastructure, but in our people and our long-term potential,” Loke said.

Collins Aerospace currently employs 150 people in Malaysia and approximately 10,000 across 24 locations in eight Asia-Pacific countries. While the official press release indicated plans to double employment opportunities for skilled talent, reporting by Malay Mail quoting the Transport Minister’s speech projected a workforce increase of 30 to 50 percent at the facility over the next five to 10 years.

Global manufacturing and MRO strategy

The Malaysian investment follows a broader pattern of global capacity increases for Collins Aerospace, which began a series of regional MRO expansions in 2021. The company is simultaneously scaling its original equipment manufacturing footprint in Europe.

On June 3, 2026, the manufacturer officially opened a $69 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Tajęcina, Poland. That project increased the European site’s footprint to 22,000 square meters, boosting landing gear system production capacity by nearly 25 percent.

AirPro News analysis

We view the $63 million Subang expansion as a necessary structural adjustment to support aging widebody fleets in the Asia-Pacific region. By localizing the repair of complex pneumatic and power components, Collins Aerospace reduces turnaround times and logistics costs for regional operators. The concurrent investments in Poland and Malaysia suggest a coordinated strategy to alleviate supply chain bottlenecks that have constrained both original equipment manufacturing and aftermarket support across the commercial aviation sector.

Sources: RTX

Aviation aftermarket inventory provider AvAir announced the opening of a 45,000-square-foot warehouse facility in Grapevine, Texas, on June 8, 2026. The new location, situated adjacent to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), is designed to accelerate nationwide parts delivery and mitigate costly aircraft-on-ground (AOG) situations for operators.

In a press release issued by the company, AvAir stated the central United States location will serve as a strategic hub for its global operations. The expansion supports a growing client base of 3,100 customers who rely on the company’s inventory of 26 million aircraft parts.

Strategic expansion in North Texas

The Grapevine facility joins AvAir’s existing operational centers in Chandler, Arizona, and Dublin, Ireland. By establishing a footprint in the Dallas-Fort Worth logistics corridor, the company aims to streamline distribution networks.

Chief Operating Officer Tyler Botthof stated the new Dallas location complements the existing facilities to create a strategically located hub that enhances inventory availability and streamlines distribution to customers worldwide.

Leadership appointments

Coinciding with the facility opening, AvAir highlighted key leadership roles supporting the expansion. Brian Longmeyer, who brings 30 years of industry experience and joined the company in 2021, serves as Vice President of Sales for Powerplants and General Manager of the Dallas location. Kevin Lenz, an AvAir executive since 2010, continues his role as Executive Vice President of Powerplants.

AirPro News analysis

The selection of the Dallas-Fort Worth area aligns with broader aerospace aftermarket trends favoring central logistics hubs to minimize shipping times for critical components. DFW’s extensive cargo network provides immediate routing options for urgent AOG requirements. We note that the official press release distributed by AvAir contained an apparent editorial error, attributing a quote to Chief Executive Officer Mike Bianco regarding a “gold standard award.” This quote is identical to a statement Bianco made in a January 2026 release celebrating the company’s “Parts Supplier of the Year” recognition and does not appear relevant to the Dallas facility announcement.

Sources: AvAir