Aerospace and Defense Review
Pacific Aero Tech: Pioneers in Flight Deck Windshield Repair

Top 20 MRO Companies - 2020

Aerospace manufacturing is a complicated process involving the manufacturing of a wide range of components that vary in specifications and functions. It is assessed that the airframe and engine constitute a quarter of the overall value of aircraft production. Simultaneously, the combined systems and avionics account for a further quarter of the total value chain.

The key factors impacting the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry as a whole include increasing demand for air travel, the record-level backlog of commercial aircraft orders, rising airline profitability, and growing defense spending. Volatility may occur due to oil supply-demand dislocations and geopolitical factors. For this reason, the Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) segment of the A&D industry is expected to expand.

We at Aerospace & Defense Review magazine have compiled a list of MRO companies that take advantage of this tremendous market opportunity to optimize MRO’s profitability and generate top-and bottom-line value with innovative enterprise applications designed to streamline operations. The solutions that these organizations provide aid in handling business resources, by bidding and quoting, visit planning and preparation, conducting contract maintenance; business success & performance reporting; and commercial invoicing.

We present to you, Aerospace & Defense Review’s “Top 20 MRO Companies - 2020.”

    Top MRO Companies

    Advanced Composite Structures
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    Founded in 1988, ACS has amassed a large amount of subject matter expertise alongside a comprehensive understanding of the market’s ever evolving needs. Owing to its longstanding history of interacting with the aviation industry, the company's clients are provided with the best, expeditious, and cost-effective blade maintenance services. The company focuses all its efforts toward delivering the best customer experience to the end user and becoming the world leader in rotor blade and composite repair technologies. The secret to the company’s high quality of services lies in its ability to marry experience with continual innovation, where clients find that their helicopters fly better after leaving ACS’ shop floor ... read full profile
    Code 1 Aviation
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    Specializes in award-winning maintenance, modification, and training for the Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros. With maintenance facilities in Rockford, Illinois, Carbondale Illinois, and Gadsden Alabama, Code 1 Aviation is the leader for L-39 maintenance in North America. For customers whose mission has expanded and require new technical capabilities, Code 1’s expertise with custom, unique installations is a natural fit. Though the L-39 is a low-maintenance aircraft and pilots can self-launch a sortie easily, operators have found having an experienced Code 1 Aviation crew chief on-site for a mission can be invaluable. Their crew chiefs provide technical support for the flight crew and immediate maintenance if required ... read full profile
    ITS (Infinity Trading & Solutions)
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    ITS (Infinity Trading & Solutions) is a trusted supply chain partner for aftermarket components, systems, engines and solutions. Serving airlines, leasing companies, MROs, OEMs and resellers worldwide, they specialize in custom programs for aging assets or entire fleets ... read full profile
    Pacific Aero Tech
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    Pacific Aero Tech is the world’s largest independent MRO focused on the repair, overhaul, and replacement of flight deck windows for commercial and military aircraft. Formed to provide overhaul and repair services focused on the frame assembly for cockpit windows, the company decided to go significantly more profound into the cockpit window repair to develop processes and repair the transparency itself in 2011. PAT’s inventory of new, overhauled, and as-removed window panels and components enables it to provide its customers with the best CMM and DER repairs in the industry and the fastest turnaround time with the most outstanding availability and variety of products ... read full profile
    AAR Corp
    AAR is an independent provider of services to the commercial aviation and government markets worldwide, established in 1955. Currently, the company employs over 6,000 personnel spread across 20 countries. AAR’s aftermarket expertise and award-winning aviation services, which can be integrated or leveraged separately, help customers increase efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining high levels of quality, service and safety. The company is a trusted partner to customers in over 100 countries delivering competitiveness so they can focus on transporting passengers, cargo and parts around the world
    Aerothrust Holdings, LLC.
    AeroThrust offers its customers innovative engine solutions for every economic climate and has produced over 9,000 engines since its inception in 1946. From maintenance, repair and overhaul of engines and parts to engine sales and leasing AeroThrust is a time-tested and proven choice. The company is independently owned and operated. It offers unmatched flexibility, customized workscopes, low-cost pricing, highly competitive turn-around-times, and outstanding quality and reliability. The company's goal is to provide its customers with exceptional quality, low-cost pricing and highly competitive turn-around-times on the engine we have been producing for over 50 years
    Airbus
    Airbus is the world’s leading aircraft manufacturer whose customer focus, commercial know-how, technological leadership and manufacturing efficiency have propelled it to the forefront of the industry. The company was founded to deliver world-leading integrated aviation services, creating value and enhancing customer performance. Working with operators, lessors, and MROs, Airbus Services improves fleet performance with the expertise of an aircraft designer and manufacturer. Building on the company’s pioneering spirit, Airbus Services has innovative solutions and the latest offering on the services market
    Aviation Technical Services (ATS)
    Aviation Technical Services (ATS) provides a broad and growing portfolio of technical services in MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul), Engineering, Component Repair and Parts Development world-wide. ATS supports both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft operators in the commercial and government aviation markets. Since its founding in 1970, ATS has received numerous industry awards for its support of turn-key fleet transition and integration, aircraft modifications, aircraft heavy maintenance, design services and component repair of accessories, structures, flight control surfaces, fuel components, complex composites, hydraulics, pneumatics, heat exchangers and electrical components
    Barnes Aerospace
    Barnes Aerospace is an international manufacturer of precision-machined and fabricated components and assemblies for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) turbine engine, airframe and industrial gas turbine builders throughout the world, and for the military. Barnes Aerospace also provides jet engine component overhaul and repair (MRO) services for many of the world's major turbine engine manufacturers, commercial airlines and the military. The company also manufactures aerospace aftermarket spare parts and provide repair services for aerospace engine components. Barnes Aerospace provides a total solutions package to its customers that leverage the synergies between OEM and MRO businesses to address complex aerospace customer needs and support products through the entire lifecycle
    Decision Software Systems / Av Pro Software
    AvPro is a modular suite of aircraft & component maintenance applications designed to work independently or to be seamlessly integrated with each other. AvPro is ideal for Fleet Owner/Operators, MRO & Repair Stations, or those organizations that need both. It is also suitable for parts brokers and FBOs. The company's secure, easy-to-use interface means mechanics, pilots, and line staff doesn't see sensitive screens and reports. Their learning curve is super fast and streamlined for efficiency and accurateness. AvPro truly is the premier application for all aspects of the maintenance operation

MRO Info

Q1
What Do Top MROs Do?
Top MROs provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services that keep commercial, military and business aircraft airworthy, compliant and ready for service. Their work can include heavy airframe checks, engine maintenance, component repair, structural modifications, avionics support and parts management. The role of Top MROs extends beyond scheduled maintenance. Many also help operators manage aging fleets, supply chain shortages and aircraft downtime. A delayed inspection or unavailable component can leave an aircraft grounded longer than expected. That is why airlines, defense organizations and aircraft owners often rely on MRO providers as long-term service partners rather than occasional repair vendors.
Q2
Why Do Top MROs Matter More Today?
Aircraft fleets are operating under growing pressure from higher utilization rates, longer aircraft service lives and ongoing parts availability challenges. Top MROs have become increasingly important because operators need to maintain reliability while controlling maintenance costs and minimizing disruptions. Airlines are also working through maintenance backlogs created by supply chain constraints and labor shortages across the aviation sector. At the same time, newer aircraft systems require specialized technical expertise and certifications. Maintenance delays can affect flight schedules, passenger experience and fleet availability. The demand for capable MRO providers continues to grow as operators balance performance, safety and cost pressures.
Q3
How Should Aviation Organizations Evaluate MRO Providers?
Organizations should look closely at how providers work in real maintenance conditions rather than focusing only on facility size or service lists. Review turnaround times, certification coverage, workforce expertise and parts support capabilities. It is also useful to examine how an MRO handles unexpected findings during heavy maintenance checks. A provider may perform well under normal conditions but struggle when additional repairs are discovered. Testing reporting workflows with actual maintenance records often reveals more than a sales presentation. Most aviation operators already manage multiple maintenance systems, which makes integration and documentation quality important evaluation factors.
Q4
What Business Value Do MRO Services Deliver?
Reliable MRO services help reduce unscheduled downtime, improve aircraft availability and support long-term asset performance. For airlines, even a single extra day that an aircraft remains out of service can disrupt schedules and result in lost revenue. Defense organizations face similar challenges, as maintenance delays can have an impact on mission readiness. Effective maintenance planning also helps operators extend component life, improve inspection accuracy and avoid more significant repair costs down the line. In many cases, the real value comes from consistency rather than speed alone. Clear maintenance records, predictable turnaround times and dependable technical support help prevent relatively minor maintenance issues from developing into larger operational problems.
Q5
How Are Technology and Innovation Changing the MRO Industry?
Digital maintenance planning, predictive analytics, automated inspections and data-driven asset management are becoming more common across the MRO sector. Many Top MROs are investing in technologies that help identify maintenance requirements earlier and improve repair planning. Engine monitoring systems, digital maintenance platforms and AI-assisted diagnostics can help technicians detect potential issues before they lead to larger failures. Most maintenance teams already work with large volumes of technical data. The challenge is often turning that information into practical maintenance decisions. Technology is becoming increasingly valuable when it helps reduce unnecessary inspections, improve parts forecasting and shorten maintenance cycles.
Q6
What Should Decision-Makers Prioritize When Comparing Top MROs?
Decision-makers should prioritize technical capability, regulatory compliance, workforce experience, parts availability and long-term support quality. The lowest-cost option is not always the most economical one, especially when maintenance delays lead to schedule disruptions or recurring repair work. It is important to understand how providers handle supply chain challenges, engineering approvals and service communication during complex projects. Organizations should also evaluate whether an MRO can continue to support future fleet requirements as aircraft technology evolves. Top MROs are often evaluated not only on the quality of the repair itself, but also on how consistently they help keep aircraft available and in service throughout their lifecycle.