IATA's 16th annual Maintenance Cost Conference (MCC 2020) is a series of weekly webinars from September 9-30, 2020.

COVID-19 is arguably the worst crisis the airline industry has ever faced. The global pandemic has challenged the industry in every possible way. As the situation develops dynamically, the airlines are adapting quickly to the new parameters.

Each episode of MCC 2020 addresses a different theme:

  • Episode 1: Economic context and forecast; implications of aircraft parking/storage strategies
  • Episode 2: Adapting to exceptional circumstances (transport of cargo in the passenger cabin; aircraft cleaning & disinfecting; fuel testing & biocide treatment)
  • Episode 3: How COVID-19 is reshaping the aircraft leasing and MRO businesses
  • Episode 4: The role of used serviceable material (USM) in the industry restart 

Episode 1 - Economic situation & aircraft parking/storage strategies

Our Chief Economist started this session with an overview on the current economic situation and forecast.

With speakers from various airlines (different fleet sizes, different parking/storage strategies, in different regions of the world), we addressed the following topics:

  • Storage and preservation, what do we do with the aircraft?
  • Pros & cons of each strategy
  • Cost and maintenance implications
  • What needs to be considered?
  • 6 months in, would you do anything different?

 

> Watch the recording

> Download the presentation (pdf)

 

Moderator: Chris Markou (Head of Operational Cost Management - IATA)

Speakers:

  • Brian Pearce (Chief Economist – IATA)
  • Thanos Pascalis (CEO – Ellinair)
  • Hannes Pferdekamper (Head of Technical Strategy & Reporting - Eurowings)
  • Keith Fernandes (Manager, Fleet Engineering – Virgin Australia)
  • Swaran Sidhu (Head of Fleet Technical Management – easyJet)
  • Michael Hansen (Manager, Fleet Strategy – Southwest Airlines)

 

Episode 2 - Adapting to exceptional circumstances 

In parallel to an unprecedented fleet grounding, the airlines are facing many other challenges to adapt to new circumstances. Our speakers discussed the following topics:

  • Airline Tech Ops Regulatory Background
  • Transport of Cargo in the Passenger Compartment
  • Confident Travel Initiative - Aircraft Disinfection
  • Fuel - Microbiological Test Kits and Biocide Treatment

 

> Watch the recording

> Download the presentation (pdf)

 

Moderator: Rami Awadalla (Director of Fleet Engineering - Postholder CAMO – Etihad)

Speakers:

  • Dragos Budeanu (Manager Paperless Operations – IATA)
  • Matthias Ierovante (Head of Freighter Projects A330 Program Directorate – Airbus)
  • Vincent Bouscary (Head of Weight & Balance Operations Support and Training – Airbus)
  • Dan Freeman (Director Payloads & Customer Engineering – Boeing)
  • Mark Vaughan (Head of Jet Fuel Management – South African Airways)

Episode 3 - How COVID-19 is reshaping the aircraft leasing and MRO businesses

It will take years for the aviation industry to recover from the COVID crisis and the related travel restrictions and get back 2019 levels. As a consequence, demand for MRO and leasing services will also be impacted.

Our speakers discussed the following topics:

  • Global fleet outlook (retirements, deliveries, demand for leased aircraft and engines, etc.)
  • MRO market
  • Aircraft and engine leasing markets

 

> Watch the recording

> Download the presentation (pdf)

 

Moderator: Chris Markou (Head of Operational Cost Management - IATA)

Speakers:

  • Adam Pilarski (Senior VP – Avitas)
  • Mark Lynch (SVP Engineering and Material Solutions – GECAS)  
  • Richard Hough (Chief Technical Officer – ELFC)
  • Tiymor Kalimat (Manager, Aircraft Contracts – Jazz Aviation)
  • Martin Harrison (Global Managing Director – ICF)
  • Sonny Stern (VP Sales MRO Services – Delta TechOps)

Episode 4 - The role of Used Serviceable Material (USM) in the industry restart

In the coming months and years, the global fleet will considerably change. Some airlines have already announced the retirement of part of their fleet, more retirements are expected. The demand for Used Serviceable Material (USM) will be impacted significantly. Tools are available to help airlines and MROs to effectively handle their material management and procurement.

Our speakers have discussed:

  • The evolution of the USM market
  • Incident/Accident Clearance Statement (ICS)
  • Consumable stock optimization with data science and artificial intelligence
  • MRO SmartHub, an innovative web-based business intelligence platform for surplus part inventories

 

> Watch the recording

> Download the presentation (pdf)

 

Moderator: Chris Markou (Head of Operational Cost Management - IATA)

Confirmed speakers:

  • Abdol Moabery (President & CEO – GA Telesis)
  • Jonas Murby (Principal - AeroDynamic Advisory)
  • Tommy Hughes (President & CEO – VAS Aero Services)
  • Jens Bjarnason (SVP Corporate Affairs – Icelandair)
  • Garath Harries (Product Manager and Business Development for MRO SmartHub – IATA)