Quality Control in Airlines and Aerospace

Airlines and aerospace manufacturing industries are aviation sectors that focus on the design, development, testing, selling, and maintenance of aircraft and their associated parts. These industries are also involved in the manufacture and maintenance of rockets, missiles, and spacecraft. As the aviation industry has experienced tremendous growth because of the increased demand in air travel, airlines and aerospace manufacturing industries have also experienced growth. The growth in these industries has also been fueled by the increased demand and focus on airline safety as well as the increased competitiveness in the airline market. The projected increase in global passenger traffic generates significant prospects for airlines and aerospace manufacturing industries. However, these industries are facing significant pressures with regards to enhancing quality control as part of improving the efficiency and safety of airlines. This project seeks to examine strategies that are needed to improve quality control in airlines and aerospace manufacturing industries.

Since 1970, the number of air travel passengers has increased tremendously i.e. by more than three times. It is estimated that the number of passengers handled by airlines across the globe has increased significantly from 383 million in 1970 to over 3.6 billion in 2016 (Aerospace Industries Association of America, 2016). This significant increase in the number of air travel passengers across the globe is an indicator of the tremendous growth of the aviation industry. In essence, the increase in demand for air travel has contributed to rapid growth of the aviation industry. In light of this demand, the airline market has become more competitive with relatively numerous entrants to the industry. The market comprises various players worldwide who compete for the ever-increasing number of passengers.

In attempts to meet the increasing volume of air travel, the various industry players in the airline market have increased their fleets of airplanes as well as the average size and use of their aircrafts. The increase in fleets and size of airplanes as well as changes in the usage of aircrafts have generated considerable pressures on the airlines and aerospace manufacturing industries. Given these factors, the airlines and aerospace manufacturing industries are facing pressures on enhancing the safety and efficiency of aircrafts. These industries are facing the need to ensure that they develop aircrafts that can help meet the ever-increasing demand for air travel without compromising quality. In essence, ensuring quality is considered as a crucial element in the effectiveness and efficiency of the airlines industry.

The demand for improved quality in the development and maintenance of aircrafts occurs at a time when the aerospace manufacturing industry is characterized by very little competition among aircraft suppliers. Aerospace manufacturing industries across the globe are dominated by Airbus and Boeing, which have the largest market share supplying aircraft. Despite the minimal competition in this sector, quality is recognized as an important component towards promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of the airlines industry (Stolzer & Halford, 2004).