African Airlines Face Supply Chain Disruptions Impacting Aircraft Availability
At the inaugural Africa MRO Conference in Addis Ababa, airline technical leaders highlighted significant challenges facing African airlines due to fragile maintenance and supply chain ecosystems. Uganda Airlines and Kenya Airways emphasized chronic parts shortages, long-distance logistics, and limited regional repair capabilities as key issues undermining aircraft availability, cost control, and brand reputation. Deborah Acore Luciyamoi, Uganda Airlines’ materials manager, noted the lack of MROs in Africa capable of engine repairs, leading to long-term aircraft on ground (AOG) situations. The distance from OEM hubs exacerbates the crisis, with parts taking days to arrive, and volatile pricing further complicates procurement. Visa denials for African airline executives traveling to Europe, the UK, and the U.S. add another layer of difficulty in engaging with international stakeholders. 
