State-of-the-art of ‘Lean’ in the Aviation Maintenance Repair Overhaul Industry

The increasing need for Maintenance Repair Overhaul organisations (MROs) to meet customers’ demands in quality and reduced lead times is key to its survival within the Aviation industry. Furthermore, with the unpredictability in the global market and difficulties with forecasting characteristic of the MRO industry there is an increased need for the re-evaluation of the operation models of organisations within this sector. However, severe economic turmoil and ever increasing global competition introduces the opportunity for the adoption of a resilient, tried and tested business operation model such as ‘Lean’. In order to fully understand this concept, its long-term viability and its application within the aerospace MRO sector, this paper presents the state-of-the-art in terms of the adoption of Lean within the MRO industry by carrying out a systematic review of literature. This paper establishes the common perception of Lean by the MRO industry and the measurable progress that has been made on the subject. Some issues and challenges are also highlighted including the misconceptions that arise from the direct transference of the perception of Lean from other industrial sectors into the aerospace MRO industry. Also discussed are the ‘enablers and inhibitors’ of Lean within the aviation industry. This paper exposes the scarcity on literature and the general lagging behind of the industry to the adoption of the Lean paradigm and thus highlights areas where further research is required.