In a recent turn of events, aviation giants including GE Aerospace, Airbus SE, and others have proposed a series of measures to tighten up aerospace supply chains. This move comes after the discovery of spare components underpinned by falsified records sparked a global search last year.
Embracing Digital Records and Enhanced Supplier Accreditation
The Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition suggests that aerospace companies should amplify the use of secure digital records. This will strengthen supplier accreditation and improve the traceability of a component’s authenticity, thus keeping unauthorized parts out of airline fleets. The recommendations were made public in a report issued on Wednesday.
The coalition, also comprising Boeing Co., Safran SA, Delta Air Lines Inc., and United Airlines Holdings Inc., unveiled these recommendations after a meticulous nine-month examination of supply risks. The investigation was triggered by a lesser-known UK distributor alleged to have sold thousands of spare jet-engine parts backed by falsified airworthiness records.
The Hunt for Suspect Parts
Bloomberg News reported in 2023 about the frantic search for the suspect parts linked to AOG Technics Ltd. The UK government website currently shows the company as active. Airlines across China, the US, and Europe were forced to ground planes and remove the dubious components. This situation led to planes being grounded and incurred millions of dollars in costs.
Recommended Future Steps
Looking towards the future, the coalition also proposed more long-term goals, such as:
- Building databases for vendors to verify their identities
- Storing records to trace a part’s history from its manufacturing stage
These steps, among others, would enhance the overall integrity of the aerospace supply chain.
The recommendations from the coalition are voluntary. However, coalition co-chairs Robert Sumwalt, a former chairman of the US National Transportation Safety Board, and John Porcari, a former deputy secretary of the US Transportation Department, mentioned that they are working with US and European regulators to implement these measures.
In the ever-evolving world of aviation, these proposed changes are not only necessary but vital to ensuring the safety and integrity of operations. With companies like GE Aerospace and Airbus SE leading the charge, the future of aviation supply chains looks robust and secure.
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