EirTrade Aviation opened its first stock hub and warehouse in Dallas, Fort Worth just under two years ago. Complementary to EirTrade’s existing operations in Dublin and Knock (Ireland West Airport), the new base has provided EirTrade with a strategic advantage as most used aircraft material in the US is based in either Miami, Chicago or Dallas. It is key to the Company’s long-term ambitions, and expansion in the US has since been fast-tracked to include an additional team on the ground in Atlanta.
According to Bill Thompson, Director – “USM is needed by both airline and independent MRO facilities throughout the Americas region,” he says. “The demand trajectory for material in support of narrowbody engine shop visits is climbing exponentially and we’re also seeing a large increase for widebody-related engine shop visits that have compatibility with cargo aircraft.”
EirTrade’s US facility in Dallas together with the Atlanta team work with the organisation’s existing infrastructure in Ireland to support US contracts from stock located stateside. This delivers improved TATs and generates new opportunities for part-outs, storage, and consignments. “In the US we are primarily focused on CFM56 and V2500 engines, but other engine types like the CF6, and RB211 are also well supported,” he adds.
Thompson goes on to explain why further growth for EirTrade, and indeed other after-market specialists, is hampered. “The combined effect of the strong demand and scarce shop capacity worldwide means that many of the operators and lessors that we support are having difficulty securing engine induction slots on certain high-demand engine product lines. Experienced aviation technicians are also in short supply following the pandemic which caused many to leave the profession. When this factor is mixed in with supply chain problems, and delays in the supply of new engine material, the overall aftermarket industry is disrupted.” Thompson states that whilst this can provide EirTrade with opportunities if the organisation can supply the parts needed, the fact that engine turn-around times at MRO facilities will continue to increase until the situation resolves itself cannot be ignored.
