US airlines are placing a growing share of heavy maintenance work with offshore MRO providers. But the shift varies significantly by fleet type, check depth, and operator sourcing strategy.
Cirium analysed 13,994 C-Check and Heavy Check events across 5,882 US-registered aircraft. The results reveal a clear change in where narrowbody heavy maintenance is taking place.
Source: Cirium Ascend Maintenance Insights
US facilities’ share of narrowbody heavy checks fell from nearly 70% in 2019 to 44.1% in 2026.
Widebody maintenance shows an even stronger offshore pattern, with offshore participation in widebody heavy checks reaching 87.2% in 2026.
What is driving these airline MRO trends? Cost is only one factor. Aircraft programme requirements, provider capabilities, turnaround performance, and regional capacity all influence where airlines place maintenance work.
The global shift in US airline heavy maintenance examines the providers, aircraft programmes, and sourcing decisions behind this movement. It shows where demand is shifting and what the changing market means for MRO capacity, commercial planning, and growth strategy.
Move beyond domestic market indicators, and build a clearer view of the global aircraft maintenance network.
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