A technician who once shaped jet engine parts by hand is now helping train a robot to do the same work, as GE Aerospace moves to ease a global repair crunch.
The shift is underway in 2026 at the company’s upgraded automation lab in Singapore, where mounting maintenance delays have left aircraft grounded and airlines scrambling for parts.
For more than a decade, GE Aerospace technician Suresh Sinnaiyan repaired jet engine compressor blades by guiding them carefully across a sanding belt. Today, he is transferring that hands-on skill to robotic systems.
The effort comes as airlines face months-long waits for engine overhauls, driven by unexpected wear in newer engine models and tight supplies of replacement components.
Automation targets a repair backlog
Across the aviation industry, overloaded maintenance shops have become a major bottleneck. Unexpected durability issues in the latest engines have forced airlines to ground jets or keep older aircraft flying longer. That has stretched repair timelines and increased costs.
The strain has sparked tension between airlines and manufacturers. Some carriers argue that shortages have allowed engine makers to raise prices. Manufacturers counter that they are investing heavily in support networks after spending billions of dollars on engine development.
Tony Fernandes, co-founder of AirAsia, voiced the frustration clearly. “They have got to remember airlines are their future and treat us as partners,” he said, as reported by Reuters, referring to the industry overall.
The aerospace firm says expanding repair capacity is central to relieving this pressure. By restoring used components instead of replacing them with newly built parts, the company aims to free up supplies for new aircraft production while keeping the global fleet operational.
Singapore hub gets $300 million upgrade
Singapore has become a focal point in that strategy. The firm’s 2,000-employee repair hub there is undergoing a transformation that includes automation, digital tracking tools, and artificial intelligence systems. The company has said total investment could reach up to $300 million.
Originally written by: Sujita Sinha
Source: Interesting Engineering
Published on: 13 February 2026
Link to original article: GE Aerospace teaches robots human skills to repair jet engines, ease backlog
