Belgrade-based Prince Aviation has completed an impressive maintenance operation, replacing eight Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545C engines across four Citation XLS+ aircraft in just five days. All eight replacements were carried out as part of scheduled engine overhaul work.

The scale of the project required careful coordination across the MRO. More than 30 employees were involved, including aircraft maintenance technicians alongside planning, logistics, technical administration and maintenance teams. Engine installations also require independent inspections, adding another layer of technical oversight to an already demanding schedule.

But the achievement also highlights a wider issue facing business aviation: maintenance capacity. As Citation fleets mature and aircraft remain in service longer, operators increasingly need access to experienced technicians, engine support, available parts and MRO slots capable of handling complex work without extended downtime.

Prince Aviation is an EASA Part-145 approved maintenance organisation and supports several Citation models from its Serbian facility. Its engine capabilities include multiple Pratt & Whitney Canada powerplants, including the PW545 series.

For European operators, the five-day project demonstrates the growing importance of independent MRO providers. Aircraft availability depends not only on engine supply and hangar capacity, but increasingly on having enough skilled technicians to perform demanding maintenance efficiently.

As business aviation fleets continue ageing, that technical workforce could become one of the industry’s most valuable resources.

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