MRO Management - 2025 Review/2026 Outlook & Circular-Economy in Modern Aircraft Retirement
Vallair Group Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, Pascal Parant, contributed expert insights to two articles in the November/December edition of MRO Management.
In the first article, Parant looks back at 2025 and ahead to 2026 for the MRO sector. “Despite strong demand, 2025 has been a difficult year for MRO businesses. There has been a dramatic drop in lease transitions, from 30 annually to just two or three, as airlines extend leases due to delayed delivery of new aircraft and engine maturity issues.”
Revenue models have also changed at the expense of MROs, he highlights. “If operators can generate another month of revenue, they will do so, even if it means sacrificing MRO slot commitments.” However, lease transitions are expected to rebound in the winter season, as aircraft that have been in extended service will be due to come down for maintenance, with many operators already securing slots. “At Vallair, we see a positive turning point ahead and anticipate that 2026 will be significantly stronger.”
To read the full article, click here.
In the second article, Parant sheds light on the benefits of circular economy principles. Following up on his discussion on the USM panel at PAM Dublin, Parant shares the environmental and financial advantages of using overhauled components. “Today, up to 95% of an aircraft’s mass can be reused, recycled or valorised, from which operators can reap rewards,” he explains. “Using USM reduces CO2 emissions by 50-90%, whilst an end-of-life narrowbody can generate USD 2.5-8 million in recovered value. Amid global shortages, returns can be realised within 6-12 months.”
He goes on to clarify that choosing the right MRO and asset management provider will support aircraft through their full lifecycle. Vallair specifically offers a vertically integrated model which includes P2F conversions that extend aircraft life by 15+ years, ensuring each aircraft delivers maximum value and minimal environmental impact.
To read the full article, click here.
Articles courtesy of MRO Management.
Vallair Strengthens Ongoing Partnership with Air Corsica
Montpellier, France, 18th November 2025: Vallair, a leading aviation asset lifecycle support company and MRO support specialist, is pleased to announce the on-time redelivery of the first of two Airbus A320 aircraft undergoing scheduled C-Checks for Air Corsica. This milestone marks a continuation of the long-standing cooperation between the two companies, which has been built upon consistent operational performance.
Vallair is committed to supporting Air Corsica with reliable base maintenance solutions, ensuring efficiency, safety, and operational continuity for the airline’s fleet.
Gilles Fossecave, CEO of Vallair MRO at the organisation’s facility in Montpellier, France, stated: “We are proud to support Air Corsica’s fleet with high-quality maintenance services. Our partnership moves forward seamlessly as we now welcome the second aircraft for its planned heavy maintenance visit. Our team is inspired by the confidence that Air Corsica continues to place in us as we strive to be their trusted ‘go-to’ MRO provider whilst the airline expands its operations.”
Jean-Luc Moine, Technical Director of Air Corsica, added: “We know Vallair well and have extensive experience working with their helpful and friendly teams. We are completely satisfied with the quality of the work performed and with the punctuality of this first redelivery.”
Created in 1989 by the Corsican Assembly to give the island control of its air transport, Air Corsica has a primary Public Service mission on twelve existing routes between the four Corsican airports (Ajaccio, Bastia, Calvi and Figari) and Marseille, Nice and Paris-Orly. This year the airline announced a stronger operational focus to widen its route network across popular tourist destinations through the Mediterranean region. With a fleet of 14 aeroplanes (4 Airbus A320 Neos with 186 seats, 3 A320 Ceos with 180 seats and 7 ATR72-600s with 72 seats), Air Corsica currently serves 17 different airports with 35 annual or seasonal routes while carrying 2.3 million passengers yearly.
Freighter Trends – The Maintenance Implications of Aging Fleets and OEM Delays
In the June 2025 issue of Freighter Trends, our Group Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, Pascal Parant, discusses the ageing fleet implications for global maintenance demand amid OEM delivery delays.
Parant comments on the factors that are currently driving demand, “We are experiencing a perfect storm. Since 2019, approximately 2,000 aircraft that were expected to be produced have not been delivered. In some ways, this is a positive outcome – had they been produced we would now be facing issues related to over capacity.”
To read the full article, click here.
Article courtesy of Freighter Trends.
Freighter Trends – Engine Leasing & Trading Amid Supply Chain Strains and Diverging MRO Strategies
In the June 2025 issue of Freighter Trends, our Group Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, Pascal Parant, discusses the current trends in Engine Leasing & Trading amid supply-chain strains and diverging MRO strategies.
Parant comments on the engine leasing market’s performance over the past 12 months, “It’s been like a casino. Green time has been heavily utilised, and now we’re reaching the limits.
“Some airlines are even leasing entire aircraft just to access their engines, as this remains a more cost-effective solution than leasing spare engines alone.”
To read the full article, click here.
Article courtesy of Freighter Trends.
Freighter Trends – Narrowbody Freighter Conversion Outlook
In the March issue of Freighter Trends, our Group Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, Pascal Parant, offers an outlook on the narrowbody freighter conversion sector.
Parant comments, “The A321 freighter fleet is expanding, but Vallair has recently noticed an operator returning a significant portion of its fleet due to a lack of market demand. While there are conversion slots available, the number of suitable aircraft is limited.
“Passenger demand remains so high that it is often more profitable to extend leases, or transition aircraft to another passenger airline, rather than convert them to freighters. The market isn’t quite there yet, but we know it’s only a matter of time.”
To read the full article, click here.
Article courtesy of Freighter Trends.
Freighter Trends – Aircraft Disassembly
In the March issue of Freighter Trends, our Group Chief Commercial & Marketing Officer, Pascal Parant, shares the trends that are driving the demand for aircraft disassembly and how the teardown process helps address the supply chain issues.
Parant comments, “Vallair observes that parts recovered from aircraft teardown almost always hold their value – especially those harvested from younger aircraft. It is logical for owners to seek to maximise the residual value of their assets, and they do this primarily by participating in the Used Serviceable Material (USM) market.”
To read the full article, click here.
Article courtesy of Freighter Trends.
