According to a recent Markets and Markets research report, the aircraft refurbishing industry will reach $4.26 billion by 2017 compared to $3.04 billion in 2012. But for those of you hoping those extra dollars will go toward fully reclining seats in coach or maybe a martini bar in the bulkhead aisle, it’s probably best not to hold your breath. Outside of high-rolling executives redoing the corporate jet, the report expects any dramatic commercial airline cabin interior refurbishments to accomplish the goal of increased seating capacity and providing for a greener, more efficient aircraft. What’s the main reason for this? The vast majority of travelers are looking for cheaper fares rather than increased comfort.
But outside of any big changes within the coming years, refurbishment is happening all the time, and as the airline industry grows, the need and occurrence for replacement and updating will grow as well. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. commercial airline domestic and international flights enplaned more than 64 million people in October of 2014 alone. Those kinds of numbers result in a great deal of general use wear and tear. Because of this, many of the cabin component replacement schedules largely run on an “as-needed” basis.
With hundreds of parts making up a cabin interior, in an industry where time is money, a grounded plane equals dollars wasted, and “as needed” really means “as soon as possible.” The distributors charged with delivering those parts have a huge responsibility to maintain adequate inventory of regularly ordered interior components. Distributors also need to be able to deliver those components with a rapid turnaround.
Kapco Global supplies many of the most commonly required cabin interior replacement and refurbishment parts from the industry’s best known and most trusted suppliers. Our product catalog features items ranging from interior floor and wall coverings and laminates, to speakers, extruded plastic, lamps, signage, in-flight entertainment components and audio jacks. We also supply the commercial aviation industry with safety equipment (check out our airplane safety component infographic), evacuation tools, and survival products—most of which need to be replaced on a regular schedule and inspected/certified according to FAA regulations.
The maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry has an enormous responsibility meeting deadlines and keeping the commercial aviation industry running on schedule. Strengthening every link in the supply chain is vital to avoid the types of compounded delays that can ruin an airline’s reputation. As the cabin interior refurbishment industry grows, making sure you’ve got well-positioned distributors lined up to meet the increase in volume is one way to get ahead of the curve and be ready and able to successfully meet that growth as it comes.
To learn more about how Kapco can help you meet the growing demand, contact a Kapco representative today.
