Rolls-Royce has effectively eliminated aircraft on ground delays in its Civil Aerospace business, citing a stronger maintenance, repair and overhaul network and improved supply-chain resilience in its first-half 2026 results. The engine maker said the progress lifted availability for airline and airframer customers, with large-engine MRO output up 13% and large-engine refurbishments rising 35% year on year.
The company linked the improvement to its aftermarket restructuring, which has increased operational resilience across the civil engines support network. Better planning and more resilient parts flow helped reduce delays, while the maintenance system handled higher output during the period.
Aircraft on ground events leave jets out of service while operators wait for engines, components or maintenance slots, making dispatch reliability a central issue for airlines. Rolls-Royce’s civil aerospace performance is closely watched because shop-visit throughput and engine availability directly affect fleet utilisation and maintenance cost. Reuters reported the same earnings update on 30 July, confirming the timing and wider results context.