AWN recognizes innovative, transformative engine maintenance operation at Delta TechOps

Aviation Week's Laureate Award is given to industry leaders in aerospace and aviation in five categories, with a grand laureate awarded in each category to the nominee whose project most embodies the trailblazing spirit of innovation and transformation.

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Delta TechOps was recently honored with a 2024 Grand Laureate Award by Aviation Week Network at their 66th Annual Laureate Awards ceremony. The award recognized TechOps' work with the APEX program - specifically how APEX is reimagining engine maintenance operations for Delta.

APEX, which allows for real-time data to be collected as an engine is going through its life cycle, gives Delta TechOps the ability to optimize engine material and shop visits. APEX's capabilities decrease repair turnaround times and provide predictive material demand, optimized engine production control and eight-digit cost savings for the airline.

Aviation Week's Laureate Award is given to industry leaders in aerospace and aviation in five categories: defense, commercial aviation, business aviation, space and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). A grand laureate is awarded in each category to the nominee whose project most embodies the trailblazing spirit of innovation and transformation.

Delta TechOps won the grand laureate in the MRO segment, beating out other laureate award honorees in the category: AAR, GE Aerospace, Lufthansa Technik and the Sustainable Engine Alliance (SR Technics, Atlas Air and Kuehne+Nagel).

APEX came as the result of a cross-divisional effort to enhance engine materials forecasting capabilities. The project was developed as Delta began to rebound from the pandemic, a time when the company was facing increases in engine and part repair turnaround times and the addition of three new engine variants all while navigating the impacts of industry-wide supply chain challenges.

Delta TechOps is the largest and only MRO provider in North America with capabilities to service all three next-generation engine platforms: Pratt & Whitney GTF, CFMI LEAP and Rolls-Royce TRENT. Delta is prioritizing investment in the MRO business, as it is a crucial part of diversified revenue towards Delta profit and providing dependable jobs for generations to come.

"We are honored to be recognized by the industry as an innovator in the MRO space. But even more than that, we are proud to highlight the incredible work of our Delta people," said John Laughter - President, Delta TechOps, E.V.P. and Chief of Operations. "APEX is a game-changer and is setting the stage for the future of engine materials forecasting for Delta and the MRO industry at large. This is a testament to what is possible when you get the right people in the room working to solve some of the industries toughest challenges."

"APEX is the biggest advancement in engine materials forecasting that I've seen in the more than 30 years I've been in this business," said Mike McBride - V.P., Maintenance Operations. "APEX harnesses all the developments from our engineering teams and pairs that knowledge with the latest technologies, including AI, to give us real-time information on material needs for any given engine."

With APEX, Delta's predictive material demand accuracy has shot up from 60% to over 90%. This accuracy allows Delta to look years down the road in parts forecasting, compared with the industry standard of three to six months. This allows Delta to work with suppliers ahead of time to prioritize which parts they produce based on the needs we forecast.

Alongside parts savings, APEX has decreased Delta's engine and part repair turnaround times. With the use of the APEX program, Delta can produce engines internally in less than 90 days on average as compared to turn times with outside vendors which range between 150-200 days.

Learn more about Delta TechOps' MRO capabilities and services at deltatechops.com.

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