As APAC fleets expand and pressures rise, Martynas Grigas, chief executive of FL Technics Indonesia and Avia Management Group Asia (AMGA), shares where capability gaps, investment priorities and operational shifts are emerging.
With APAC fleets expanding and engine issues still dominating shop visits, what do you think is the single most overlooked capability MROs in the region will need to stay ahead of in 2026 and beyond?
The most overlooked capability that MROs in the APAC region will need to stay ahead of in 2026 and beyond is the ability to quickly perform top-case engine maintenance and light-fix engine work on narrowbody fleets.
This capability directly supports the escalating demand for fast engine turnarounds and reduces the need for lengthy shop visits. A top-case engine maintenance shop is already in our development plans to begin operations in 2027.


As engine turnaround times (TATs) remain under pressure globally, the region increasingly requires localised, short-cycle recovery options that prevent unnecessary shop inductions.
Airlines need MROs that can diagnose, stabilise and return engines to service within very tight operational windows, particularly as LEAP and PW1100G issues continue to shape the narrowbody environment.
Many operators still depend on overseas facilities for these repairs, adding avoidable logistics delays and unnecessary downtime.
Building this capability within APAC will have a direct impact on fleet availability and operational resilience, giving regional MROs a distinct competitive advantage as the narrowbody fleet continues to expand through 2030.
FL Technics Indonesia has added new capabilities, including B737 MAX component repairs, but what recent capability or asset has delivered the most unexpected value to customers so far?
The most valuable asset for our customers has been our new Bali hangar and the range of capabilities it supports.
While B737 MAX and A320neo component repair approvals captured attention, airlines have consistently found that the state-of-the-art Bali hangar delivers the greatest practical value.
Predictable slot access, an efficient induction process, and an advantageous location have become more important to operators than any single new approval.
Many airlines – particularly ACMI and leisure carriers – use Bali as a stable, uncongested point for scheduled checks, reducing ferry time and avoiding operational disruption.
The hangar’s design, including docking systems, tool layout and workflow organisation, enables our teams to maintain consistent TATs even during peak periods.
Several operators also report value from the ability to align crew rotations with maintenance events in Bali. These everyday operational efficiencies were not initially highlighted but have quickly become decisive factors for customers. Southeast Asian operators are pushing for faster turnarounds.
Where do you see the biggest untapped efficiency gains are; in technology, processes, or people?
All these aspects are very important in the base maintenance process, but I believe people remain the primary asset.
With strong training programmes, disciplined processes, and a robust support framework, personnel can deliver outstanding results.
At the same time, the supply chain demands additional attention in order to stay within agreed TATs.
Even with sophisticated digital planning tools, TAT performance still depends on how effectively teams coordinate findings, allocate tasks and manage the critical path. Clear shift-lead oversight, structured cross-training and stronger task ownership help eliminate delays that occur during complex checks.
Material readiness continues to be a universal challenge across global MRO operations and affects operators throughout APAC.
However, by combining well-trained teams, efficient processes and more proactive material management, Southeast Asian MROs can fully leverage their strengths and consistently meet the rising turnaround expectations of both regional and international airlines.
If you could change one misconception that airlines have about the current APAC MRO landscape, what would it be?
The APAC region is growing rapidly across the aviation sector and especially within base maintenance activity, and new players entering the market bring substantial know-how and experience that are elevating quality and service levels dramatically.
People in Indonesia, for example, are highly skilled, motivated and eager to continue developing. This strong manpower capability, combined with FL Technics’ ongoing investments, is helping Indonesia to evolve into a major maintenance hub.
The misconception that APAC MROs compete primarily on cost is increasingly outdated. The region has undergone a significant step‑change in infrastructure, capabilities and workforce maturity, driven by global players investing heavily in tooling, training, and new‑generation approvals.
Indonesia is no longer simply a capacity market – the technical quality and consistency delivered by local teams now matches that of more established MRO centres.
Looking ahead, which emerging trend in the region do you think will have the most disruptive impact on maintenance strategies?
At the moment it’s the supply chain, which remains very fragile both regionally and globally, but moving forward we are seeing new generation fleets arriving rapidly in the region. And with the volume of aircraft orders coming into Asia, I believe this will become the main focus in the near future.
This feature was first published in MRO Management – November/December 2025. To read the magazine in full, click here.