A steady increase in global air transport activity throughout 2021 boosted confidence that commercial aftermarket spending would be back on its pre-downturn path as early as 2023. The recovery's pace will vary by market segment and geography, subject to knock-on effects from new COVID-19 variants or other unforeseen issues that alter aircraft utilization or delivery trends. Overall, however, all signs heading into 2022 point to a year of increasing-dare one say "surging"?-demand for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). The reason is clear: Demand for lift is returning, and operators are responding by flying more aircraft more often. Global aircraft fleet utilization in October 2021 was 73 of October 2019's figure as measured in flight hours, an analysis of Aviation Week Fleet Discovery data by consultancy Naveo shows. While the figure still lags pre-COVID-19 activity, it was better than both the year-to-date figure of 62 through Oct. 31 and the comparable 10-month figure of 52 posted in 2020. The recovery's uneven pace, particularly between domestic and intra-regional versus long-haul services, is favoring certain aircraft and engine types. Manufacturers and suppliers with significant narrowbody and cargo operations are benefiting, while those heavily weighted toward passenger widebody activity are lagging.
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