MRO Boosts Mexico’s Aerospace Industry
The maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) segment is becoming a strategic growth opportunity for Mexico’s aerospace supply industry, according to industry representatives from Federación Mexicana de la Industria Aeroespacial (FEMIA).
Traditionally, Mexican aerospace suppliers have focused on manufacturing components for original equipment manufacturers. However, sustained growth in global air traffic has increased demand for aircraft maintenance services, creating new business opportunities in the aftermarket sector.
MRO activities include preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance, component overhauls, engine servicing, avionics support, and regulatory inspections. These processes are subject to strict oversight by authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration and Mexico’s Agencia Federal de Aviación Civil, making technical expertise and certification essential.
Industry specialists note that, unlike aircraft manufacturing, MRO services generate recurring demand throughout an aircraft’s lifecycle. This makes the segment more resilient to economic cycles and fluctuations in new aircraft production.
For Mexican suppliers, the MRO ecosystem offers multiple pathways for diversification, including work on engines, composites, electronic systems, and ground support equipment. These services allow companies to move up the value chain and strengthen their position in the North American aviation market.
The sector’s development is closely linked to fleet activity in Mexico and the United States, where high aircraft utilization continues to drive demand for specialized maintenance services.
Experts emphasize that entering the MRO market requires long-term investment in infrastructure, skilled labor, and regulatory compliance. Companies must also understand regional hubs and align their technical capabilities with airline and operator needs.
Overall, while manufacturing remains a key pillar of Mexico’s aerospace industry, analysts agree that future growth opportunities increasingly lie in after-sales services. By expanding into MRO, Mexican suppliers can access a more stable, high-value, and continuously growing segment of the global aerospace market.
