Expeditors is expanding its aircraft on the ground (AOG) service offering in response to rising demand and a rise in the average age of aircraft.
The expanded service includes dedicated in-office global critical logistics teams, available 24 hours a day and all year round; customised onboarding and customer-specific operating procedures; and real-time shipment visibility and proactive milestone communication.
Expeditors will also offer next-flight-out, dedicated trucking, hand-carry, and charter options; end-to-end customs guidance and support; and monitoring, contingency management, and compliance oversight throughout the shipment lifecycle.
Expeditors said that the service expansion comes amid rising demand for time-critical airfreight logistics and ageing fleets, creating a greater need for specialised logistics support during unexpected aircraft downtime, critical parts shortages, unplanned maintenance events, and other operational challenges.
Indeed, figures published by IATA show that in 2025 the average aircraft age has risen to 14.8 years from 13.6 years for the period running from 1990 to 2024.
The company said that the new service would cater for airlines, aircraft manufacturers, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organisations, aerospace suppliers, defence customers, advanced air mobility providers, and “other aviation stakeholders facing urgent transportation and logistics requirements across global markets”.
“When an aircraft is grounded, every minute is critical,” said Jim Cangiano, global director, aviation and aerospace, Expeditors. “Our expanded AOG capabilities combine specialised expertise, global reach, and around-the-clock execution to minimise downtime, maintain operational continuity, and manage complex logistics challenges efficiently.”
He added: “In aviation, precision, reliability, and speed are essential, especially when an aircraft is grounded. We developed our AOG capabilities around what customers told us they need most during urgent disruptions: experienced teams, clear communication, and execution they can count on from start to finish.”
