Young NAG’s first event of 2025: Exploring innovation in aviation maintenance
The Young NAG community kicked off 2025 with an exciting and insightful event, bringing together young professionals to explore the future of aviation maintenance. Hosted at KLM, the event featured expert presentations from KLM, Aiir Innovations and NLR, focusing on advancements in aircraft maintenance, artificial intelligence and robotics.
Insights from Industry leaders
KLM provided a deep dive into key areas of their operations, including predictive maintenance, A/B testing and planning coordination. Their presentation highlighted how technology is improving efficiencies and decision-making in aircraft maintenance.
Aiir Innovations shared valuable insights on the role of AI in aviation, emphasizing that AI should act as a supportive tool rather than replace human expertise. They stressed the importance of human-AI collaboration and the need for certification to ensure AI systems are reliable and safe. One of their key areas of focus is subjective inspections, where AI helps enhance human decision-making rather than making independent assessments.
NLR (Netherlands Aerospace Centre) showcased various projects aimed at improving aviation maintenance through robotics. Their work includes robotic solutions for MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul), advancements in helicopter blade maintenance and collaborations with the defense industry and the EU. They also highlighted developments in sensor technology, including 2D and 3D sensors, which are playing an increasing role in modern maintenance operations.
A Behind-the-Scenes look at aircraft maintenance
One of the highlights of the event was a guided tour of KLM’s aircraft maintenance hall, where attendees had the opportunity to see firsthand how aircraft are maintained, repaired and prepared for service. This rare glimpse behind the scenes provided a deeper understanding of the complexity of aviation MRO operations and how technology can be integrated into daily processes.
Networking and Future Connections
The event wrapped up with a networking session over drinks, allowing attendees to connect with industry peers and discuss the future of aviation technology. Engaging conversations took place, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in this evolving industry.
As we move forward into 2025, it’s clear that AI, robotics and predictive technologies are shaping the future of aviation maintenance. Young NAG remains committed to keeping its members engaged with these developments and creating opportunities for learning and collaboration.
A big thank you to KLM, Aiir Innovations and NLR for their insightful presentations and to all attendees for making this event a success.
Stay tuned for more exciting events in the months ahead!