Aviation Leaders Warn of Supply Chain Strain, Geopolitical Risks Ahead of Singapore Airshow

Global aviation leaders meeting ahead of the Singapore Airshow raised concerns over persistent supply chain disruptions and mounting geopolitical tensions, while reaffirming commitments to cut industry emissions. International Air Transport Association Director General Willie Walsh said the industry continues to feel the aftershocks of pandemic-era breakdowns, with aircraft manufacturers Airbus and Boeing still grappling with parts shortages. Engine makers GE Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney are also under pressure, balancing demand for new aircraft production with maintenance needs for aging fleets.

Geopolitical shifts are increasingly influencing aviation flows, particularly in air cargo. Walsh noted that trade tensions and U.S. import tariffs have disrupted freight patterns more visibly than passenger travel. Air cargo shipments between Asia and North America fell 0.8% last year, while Europe–Asia volumes rose by 10.3%. Despite these pressures, Asia-Pacific remains the fastest-growing air travel market, led by China and India, with passenger traffic expected to grow 7.3% in 2026. International Civil Aviation Organization council president Toshiyuki Onuma warned that aviation infrastructure must transform rapidly to handle future demand and stay on track for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Leaders also voiced alarm over what officials described as the “weaponisation” of supply chains and aircraft certification rules. Onuma stressed ICAO’s neutral technical role amid disputes involving U.S. trade pressure linked to aircraft certification, underscoring that global cooperation remains central to aviation safety and growth under the Chicago Convention framework. European Union Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas echoed concerns that geopolitical agendas are undermining cross-border aerospace supply networks. Industry executives highlighted rare earth materials — critical in jet engine manufacturing and largely dominated by China — as an ongoing vulnerability despite temporary trade truces.

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