Safran SA CEO Olivier Andries is calling for increased regulation and crackdown on rogue aircraft parts dealers in response to a recent scandal involving falsified component records. It was discovered that fake parts, supplied by AOG Technics Ltd., had made their way onto Safran-built engines. Andries is urging the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to introduce stricter regulations to rein in middlemen in the supply chain.
In an interview, Andries suggested that regulators should consider implementing digitalization and blockchain technology to enhance traceability and eliminate paper-based documentation. This move would not only increase transparency but also facilitate a more comprehensive tracking system. Andries emphasized the need for regulators to address the issue, given the ability of companies like AOG Technics to prosper and distribute parts with falsified certification documents.
The scandal first came to light when Bloomberg News published an article on August 31st, exposing the presence of suspect parts on aircraft from various airlines all over the world. As a result, airlines have initiated efforts to identify and remove these counterfeit components. However, EASA previously stated that it lacks the authority to investigate AOG Technics since suppliers are not regulated.
The scope of the scam has led to a growing demand for tighter regulations in recent weeks. GA Telesis, a major parts distributor, has called for a hearing in Washington to address the issue of unapproved parts in aviation. The company hopes that Congress will push the FAA to impose regulations on firms involved in the distribution of such parts.
Safran's CFM, a joint venture with General Electric Co, has been actively attempting to trace the origin of the suspect parts and identify buyers. They recently filed a request with a UK court, seeking documents relating to all sales made by AOG Technics. GE and Safran are currently analyzing additional records provided by AOG Technics, with the possibility of uncovering further counterfeit records and affected engines.
While Andries did not comment on potential legal action against AOG Technics and its founder, Jose Alejandro Zamora Yrala, it is unclear how the situation will progress. Zamora has refrained from making any statements regarding the case at this time. Ultimately, the focus remains on implementing stronger regulations and preventing such fraudulent activities in the future.