Can Acquisitions Strengthen AAR's Position in the Aircraft MRO Market?

AAR Corp. AIR is using acquisitions to expand its aircraft aftermarket capabilities and strengthen its position in the growing MRO market. By adding engineering, aircraft modification and certification capabilities, the company is moving beyond traditional maintenance services and expanding into higher-value areas of the aviation aftermarket.

In April 2026, AAR completed the $35 million acquisition of Aircraft Reconfig Technologies. The deal added FAA Organization Designation Authorization, enabling AAR to issue supplemental type certificates and Parts Manufacturer Approval in-house. This reduces the company’s reliance on third parties and gives it greater control over the certification process.

The acquisition also strengthens AAR’s aircraft interior design, reconfiguration and engineering capabilities. These additions allow the company to provide more comprehensive solutions to customers while supporting its efforts to capture a larger share of aircraft modification and aftermarket spending.

AAR’s expanded capabilities could become increasingly valuable as airlines focus on maintaining, upgrading and extending the useful lives of existing aircraft. The company’s acquisition strategy should help it address a broader range of customer requirements while supporting growth in higher-value MRO and engineering services.

With enhanced certification capabilities and a broader aftermarket offering, AAR is well-positioned to benefit from sustained demand for aircraft MRO, modification and lifecycle support.

Aircraft MRO Stocks to Keep on the Radar

Other aerospace and defense companies strengthening their presence in the aircraft MRO market are discussed below:

RTX Corporation RTX: Through its Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace businesses, RTX provides engine maintenance, component repair, digital maintenance solutions and comprehensive aftermarket support for commercial and military aircraft worldwide.

The Boeing Company BA: Through its Global Services business, Boeing provides maintenance, repair, engineering, supply-chain and digital sustainment solutions for commercial and military aircraft, supporting customers worldwide.

The Zacks Rundown for AIR

Shares of AIR have risen 94% in the past year compared with the industry’s 12.6% growth.

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The company shares are trading at a discount on a relative basis, with its forward 12-month Price/Sales being 1.48X compared with its industry’s average of 8.77X.

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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AIR’s 2026 earnings has moved north over the past 60 days.

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AIR stock currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

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