When there is a kink in the link, the chain is not as strong

That’s true in most industries, but in Aviation, the impact is immediate and visible. A missing part doesn’t just delay a task. It holds back a release, a return to service, an entire crew schedule, a revenue flight. In a high-pressure and time-sensitive environment like MRO, Logistics is classed as a support function. For me, and I think it’s fair to say, that in practice, Logistics is a front-line operation. And the Parts? They’re the difference between a signed release, a grounded aircraft, angry customers and disgruntled passengers. No matter how well a check is planned, nothing moves without them.

Challenges of lessons learned

The pressure on Logistics didn’t start with COVID and it didn’t end when flights resumed. The disruptions simply changed the shape, and highlighted the real bottlenecks, production, manufacture, trained resource, the whole Supply Chain. By the end of 2020 start of 2021, it became the norm to wait weeks for the most common of parts or hardware. Not just because there were no inbound flights, Cargo or otherwise, but trained & experienced manpower to process any orders from Stock to Shipping, was at a minimum, Stocks were running out, globally, Components were not getting Repaired and nothing was getting replenished… from components to even the most previously abundant screws or nuts or bolts or washers.

Having your Order boxed and ready but stuck, unfortunately, is not just a memory.

Whether it’s a clearing Agent / paperwork issue, an unload from your scheduled flight, or simply a backlog at a regional hub, the result is often the same: rescheduled work, grounded aircraft, and a team standing by for a $50 part that was meant to be here yesterday. These can be frequent or rare exceptions, but in our industry, think Murphy’s Law… if it can happen, it will happen. Preparation and anticipation are everything.
Reliable partners and Suppliers make the difference. Not through promises, but with workable options, certified alternatives, clear communication, and the kind of responsiveness that turns a long weekend of downtime into a part arriving just in time to save the day.

Good partnerships: A real competitive advantage

At Bird Aviation, on an Island, albeit a glorious and sun-kissed one, it was clear that betting on parts availability and quick shipping times is not the sort of gamble that is optional. As a growing company, the path was clear. Find & create our go-to pool of Suppliers, with good scheduled routes to the Island (Airbus/Satair Hamburg. WOW! – DHL Overnight LEJ-LCA). Agreements with trusted partners that have always come through previously. Local Calibration Shops/Wheels/Brakes/NDT. Now, in mid-2025, following a very challenging Winter Season 2024/25, we are looking back on the success of the highest “Out-on-Time” performance to date for Bird.

What keeps the hangar moving

Being an island adds another layer of complexity. There is no quick cross-border trucking. Everything arrives by sea or air. That is why a focused Logistics Team that goes above and beyond; Control & Shipping have become core strengths of our operation. Through advanced parts stocking (PDQ/Aerospheres consignment stock agreements – ensuring 3–6 months of stock usage is always on the shelf), reliable freight forwarders like AFW Express, and trusted ground & freight handlers in Larnaca, we’ve built a chain that works. These partners are not just vendors; They know our aircraft, our customers, and how critical timing is to our success. Swissport, Goldair Handling, Golden Cargo, and DHL are not optional. They are essential. They all play a huge part and they all help reduce the headaches.

We also reduced further the possibility of delays with Customs Clearance, by taking that in house and becoming an automous agent at the very start of this year.

The least discussions about Parts, the better for me. It means the work you put in gets the workload putout. The anticipation of the need is justified.

On Shelf Stock, Calibrated Tools, Charged Hand Drills, Drill bits, Hand Tools, Complete Toolboxes, Gloves, Overalls, Earplugs, Goggles, Masks, Tapes, Sealants, Oils, Rags, Cloths, Cleaning Materials, Greasers, De-greasers, we don’t talk about parts or materials because it sounds important, it is because without them, jobs don’t get done when the job needs to be done. Every task depends on having the right Part/Tool/Product ready when needed.

This is not about supply chain theory, it is the bigger picture, Project schedules, Shift management, Hangar Management, and if the parts are not available, nothing else happens.

We, the Logistics Team know the responsibilities we carry for our colleagues, our clients, and our company’s success. And we stand front and center.