Kuala lumpur: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified four priorities to address persistent failures in the aerospace supply chain, namely enhancing supply chain visibility, opening up the aftermarket, unlocking the value of data, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI), as well as building human capacity. According to BERNAMA News Agency, IATA director of flight and technical operations Stuart Fox highlighted that issues such as aircraft delivery delays, engine durability problems, shortages of materials and spare parts, and constrained maintenance capacity are disrupting airline operations significantly. Fox emphasized the need for practical action and cooperation across the aviation value chain to address these challenges effectively. Fox elaborated that enhanced supply chain visibility would allow airlines to better plan their global network operations through earlier and more reliable information from manufacturers regarding delivery delays, repair turnaround times, p arts availability, and known bottlenecks. He further advocated for more manufacturers to adhere to key principles in the IATA-CFM agreement, which supports greater aftermarket competition by reinforcing access to third-party maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, alternative parts, and approved repairs. On the topic of data, digitalisation, and AI, Fox noted that improved integration between airline maintenance systems and external market intelligence could enhance inventory management, identify material availability and scarcity, support repair-or-replace decisions, and strengthen warranty claims. AI, he added, could further bolster these processes by predicting demand, identifying shortages, and reducing manual work. Additionally, IATA director general Willie Walsh stated that supply chain failures are projected to cost airlines at least US$11 billion by 2025. He mentioned the aircraft order backlog exceeding 18,000 and the average fleet age reaching a record 15.2 years. Walsh pointed out the s hortfall of over 5,000 more fuel-efficient replacement aircraft, which airlines had relied on, resulting in missed efficiency gains, higher lease rates, and increased maintenance costs. In response, IATA also urged a review of recruitment, training, and licensing of maintenance technicians to reduce timelines, expand reach, and improve job stability. The association cited Boeing's estimation that 710,000 new technicians will be needed over the next 20 years, highlighting the growing demand for maintenance technicians. Increasing training capacity, reducing unnecessary qualification bottlenecks, and creating greater recognition of skills across borders are among the measures suggested to fill this gap.