Offshoring of Aircraft Maintenance

The federal government has provided U.S. airlines with economic incentives to have their aircraft repaired and maintained abroad for far too long. The TWU is fighting back against flawed policies that have cost Americans jobs and undermined airline safety. 

For years, the Federal Aviation Administration has not held overseas aircraft repair facilities to the same high standards that are in effect in the United States. Airlines have happily and greedily taken advantage of these loopholes to reduce costs and boost profits. TWU advocacy, however, has helped advance some much-needed changes. 

The FAA, in December 2023, announced a proposed new rule requiring drug and alcohol testing for all mechanics who perform heavy maintenance on U.S.-registered aircraft, whether they are located here or in another country. In 2024, Congress passed a pro-worker Federal Aviation Reauthorization bill requiring unannounced safety inspections of foreign aircraft repair stations – and minimum qualifications for mechanics working on U.S.-registered aircraft. 

Raising standards abroad lessens the monetary incentive for airlines to ship work overseas, which will mean more good, union jobs for American workers. To further level the playing field, the TWU has urged the federal government to close all loopholes that allow FAA-certified facilities outside the U.S. to operate under lower safety standards.