"Quality: a necessity in aerospace and aviation"

The aerospace and aviation industry, key to global transportation, depends heavily on efficient logistics.

In a recent article, Bertrand Annonier, the Head of Global Aerospace Airfreight at DHL Global Forwarding, underscored the vital importance of quality in aerospace and aviation logistics. He detailed the specialised practices and innovative approaches that uphold these high standards.

Annonier says that as the aerospace and aviation industry ramps up production to meet growing demand, logistics, and supply chain management challenges are becoming more pronounced. With the global industry currently valued at around $838 billion, the number of aircraft is expected to double within the next 15-20 years.

This growth will undoubtedly intensify the pressure on aerospace and aviation logistics, as an increased number of airplanes requires more manufacturing and maintenance efforts. Additionally, it places an extra burden on a supply chain that is already responsible for maintaining increasingly ageing fleets.

Regarding safety, he states that quality directly impacts safety, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency, making it a non-negotiable aspect of the aerospace and aviation industry. Aircraft parts must comply with stringent regulatory standards set by authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

“At DHL Global Forwarding the parts we handle arrive in perfect condition, without compromise to their integrity, and ready for installation. This approach removes flight safety concerns and maintains airworthiness,” Annonier mentions.

Discussing the handling of shock-sensitive aircraft parts, he emphasises the importance of delivering these components on time and maintaining high quality. He adds that the company's operations adhere to the EN/AS 9120 certification requirements, which is the dedicated standard for the distribution of aerospace commodities, including parts, materials, and assemblies. "Our Centre of Excellence site in Paris has already achieved this certification, and we are working to ensure additional sites comply with this standard as part of our internal certification programme," he mentions.

Addressing performance in logistics, he states, "on-time and on-quality delivery of aircraft parts is crucial in this industry. Delays can disrupt production and maintenance schedules, resulting in significant costs. Performance in logistics means delivering the right part to the right place at the right time. This necessitates a logistics network ready and able to handle the unique challenges of aerospace and aviation.”