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Delivery Delays Reshape Aviation Sourcing

October 22, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Boeing and Airbus face significant delivery delays.
Aircraft backlog stands at around 18,100 planes.
Aging fleets are flying longer, increasing demand for aftermarket parts.
Used serviceable material becomes a critical sourcing strategy.

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Strategic Implications

The surge in aftermarket demand may indicate a shift in the aviation industry's supply chain dynamics, with used serviceable material becoming a vital component of airlines' sourcing strategies. This could suggest a growing reliance on the aftermarket to keep older fleets airborne, potentially altering the competitive landscape for OEMs and aftermarket suppliers.

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What Happened

Aftermarket Demand Surges As Airlines Keep Older Fleets Airborne

Delivery delays from Boeing and Airbus are driving a surge in demand for aftermarket parts, as airlines are forced to keep older fleets airborne for longer. According to Indre Ovsenkiene, VP of Sales at Locatory, the commercial aircraft backlog currently sits at around 18,100 aircraft, representing roughly 12 years of output at current production rates. This has led to a significant increase in demand for used serviceable material, with airlines and MRO shops turning to the aftermarket to source critical components. The trend was first reported by AeroXplorer.

Source | Originally Published: October 22, 2026

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