Aviation Supply Crisis: Workers and Passengers Bear the Cost of Corporate Chaos

Years after the pandemic exposed the fragility of global capitalism, the aviation industry continues to struggle with supply chain disruptions that reveal the fundamental contradictions of a profit-driven system prioritising shareholder returns over workers and passengers.

Airlines are being forced to keep older, less fuel-efficient aircraft operational for extended periods as deliveries from aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing face delays. These delays stem from engine manufacturers and suppliers juggling competing demands between new aircraft assembly and maintenance for existing fleets, a crisis that disproportionately impacts working families who rely on affordable air travel.

The "New Normal" of Corporate Failure

Jeffrey Lam, chief operating officer at ST Engineering, the world's largest airframe maintenance provider, described prolonged supply delays as the "new norm" during this week's Singapore Airshow. "We are afraid that this new norm will stay, which is completely unacceptable," he told Reuters, highlighting how corporate mismanagement has become institutionalised.

The shortages are driving up operational costs for airlines, costs that inevitably get passed on to ordinary passengers. Singapore Airlines' budget carrier Scoot has been forced to "proactively secure more spare engines at our own expense," according to CEO Leslie Thng, demonstrating how corporate planning failures create cascading economic pressures.

Record Demand Meets Corporate Incompetence

Global air passenger traffic reached record levels in 2025, sitting 9.3% above pre-pandemic figures, with forecasts predicting another 4.9% growth this year. However, rather than investing in sustainable capacity building, airlines are extending the operational life of older aircraft by two years beyond normal schedules.

This short-sighted approach pushed up fuel, maintenance, engine leasing and inventory costs by an estimated €10.2 billion in 2025 alone, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These costs represent resources that could have been invested in worker training, sustainable aviation technology, or fare reductions for working families.

"It's very frustrating, and when you see this massive additional cost being borne by airlines, you know it really is time for these key suppliers to get their act together," IATA Director General Willie Walsh told Reuters, though he failed to acknowledge how deregulated markets created these conditions.

Geopolitical Consequences of Market Dependency

The crisis has been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions, particularly the impact of sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine. Aircraft engine manufacturers face critical shortages of titanium and nickel tubing, materials previously sourced from Russia, which accounted for approximately half of global titanium supply.

Paul Wingfield from US-based Future Metals reported that current lead times for these essential materials stretch 50 to 60 weeks, down from 60 to 70 weeks a year ago but still far from the pre-pandemic standard of 20 weeks. This situation exemplifies how over-reliance on global supply chains, rather than developing domestic industrial capacity, leaves nations vulnerable to external shocks.

Opportunities Amid Crisis

While Western suppliers struggle, some companies have found opportunities in the chaos. Chinese carbon brake disc producer Shandong Stopart Brake Material doubled its international sales last year, offering products at roughly half the price of Western competitors.

"Some new customers who previously didn't purchase from us now have little choice but to buy our products," explained sales engineer Feng Haotian, highlighting how supply chain disruptions can redistribute market power and challenge established monopolies.

A Call for Democratic Economic Planning

This aviation crisis demonstrates the urgent need for democratic economic planning that prioritises social needs over private profit. Rather than allowing market forces to dictate essential infrastructure, governments should consider strategic intervention to ensure reliable, affordable air transport for all citizens.

The current situation reveals how decades of deregulation and privatisation have created a system where corporate executives make decisions that impact millions of workers and passengers, without democratic accountability or consideration for broader social consequences.