A simulation study on maintainer resource utilization of a fast jet aircraft maintenance line under availability contract

•We review different resource modelling tools for availability contracts.•We develop a simulation model for an end-to-end repair line for jet aircrafts.•We examine changes in performance and manpower utilization under diverse settings.•Multi-skilling improves utilization by reducing number of under-utilized operators.•Using a mix of own and outsourced operators improves utilization of own workforce.

A major shift in support and maintenance logistics for complex engineering systems over the past few years has been observed in defence and aerospace industry. Availability contracting, a novel approach in this area and a special type of performance based contract, is replacing traditional service procurement practices. The service provider is measured against an equipment availability target set by the customer and rewarded on savings achieved. The performance of such contracts depends on proper utilization of right mix of labour resources. Contemporary literature on resource modelling has not attempted at modelling the entire aircraft maintenance line along with the labour resources. This research work aims to improve resource utilization in availability type contracts by simulating human resources and processes in an aircraft maintenance line.