Effects of Risk Management Strategies on Project Delays in Aircraft Maintenance

Abstract

Aircraft maintenance delays create operational inefficiencies, increase costs, and reduce aircraft availability. These delays were often caused by poor planning, weak communication, and inconsistent risk identification. Previous research focused mainly on safety and compliance, with less attention given to how risk management affected project efficiency. This qualitative study looked at how structured risk management strategies could help reduce delays in aircraft maintenance projects. Data was collected through interviews with 12 professionals working in line and hangar maintenance. Each participant had at least five years of experience with risk-related tasks. The group included technicians, lead mechanics, a planner, and a manager. The study used inductive thematic analysis to find patterns across the interviews. Seven major themes were identified. Key findings included the importance of early problem identification, effective communication, and mentorship in managing risk. The study also found that role confusion and poor data quality made it harder to manage risks and avoid delays. These insights suggested that using structured risk practices might help improve maintenance efficiency and reduce unexpected downtime. The findings might be useful for maintenance teams trying to improve how they handle risk in daily operations