How Rising Engine Costs Are Changing the Freighter Market
By ISTAT Staff, with reporting from Laura Mueller
15 June 2026
Engine maintenance and cost escalation emerged as some of the most pressing concerns at the ISTAT Freighter Forum, as operators continue to navigate long turnaround times, material shortages and changing maintenance economics.
Drawing on reporting from the forum by Laura Mueller of Airfinance Global, discussions highlighted how post-pandemic demand, constrained supply chains and aging fleets are reshaping the value of legacy engines and influencing long-term investment decisions across the cargo sector.
Engine Economics Are Being Rewritten
Beyond aircraft availability, engine maintenance and cost escalation emerged as one of the most closely watched issues facing freighter operators.
An audience poll identified rising engine costs as the cargo market’s top engine-related challenge, outpacing concerns about MRO capacity, parts availability and shop visit backlogs.
Speakers described an environment where turnaround times remain elevated and obtaining parts continues to be difficult, contributing to significantly higher costs across legacy engine platforms.
The economics surrounding older engines have shifted dramatically in recent years.
Before the pandemic, some legacy engine programs were expected to phase out more gradually as operators consumed remaining “green time” before retirement. Instead, surging demand for freighters during COVID-19 extended the usefulness of many older platforms and dramatically increased their value.
Engines that once traded at relatively modest prices have appreciated significantly as cargo demand and aircraft utilization remained strong.
For operators, however, the challenge extends beyond cost.
Long-term visibility has become increasingly important, particularly for companies operating fleets expected to remain active for years to come. Confidence in maintenance support, materials availability and repair capacity now factors heavily into investment decisions.
OEM representatives acknowledged ongoing challenges but emphasized efforts to strengthen post-production support and maintain parts availability over the long term.
That support will likely remain critical as cargo operators continue extending the lives of existing aircraft in response to broader market constraints.
For many operators, the conversation around engines is no longer simply about maintenance. It increasingly reflects broader questions around asset longevity, investment timing and how to sustain operations in a market where replacement options remain constrained.
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Laura Mueller, director of aviation finance intelligence at Airfinance Global, helped with the reporting of this article.
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