Material shortages, labor constraints, and geopolitical instability have emerged as the top disruptors in aviation MRO for 2026, according to Oliver Wyman's annual MRO supply chain survey. For the first time, geopolitical instability and tariffs ranked as the second-highest disruptor, jumping immediately to that position as supply chain uncertainty from trade policy disrupted parts sourcing and cost planning across the sector.

The global MRO market's 8% growth to $136 billion in 2025 masks a tighter operating environment for repair stations. Parts prices have risen, lead times have extended, and labor markets in key technical specialties remain constrained. MRO providers report that the aging fleet driving demand growth is also the fleet most dependent on legacy parts with limited alternative sourcing options.

Despite these headwinds, AI and technology adoption are being cited as partial offsets. Survey respondents pointed to predictive maintenance tools and AI-assisted inspection systems as areas where technology is beginning to reduce unscheduled maintenance events and improve parts forecasting accuracy. For aviation organizations looking to document and communicate these new technology-integrated maintenance processes, aviation maintenance video production provides a scalable way to train technicians and demonstrate regulatory compliance to auditors.

Source: Oliver Wyman -- https://www.oliverwyman.com/our-expertise/insights/2026/apr/aviation-mro-labor-and-material-supply-chain-paradigm.html