Influence of the selected exploitation tasks on airline operating cost and flight safety taking as an example turbofan engine

The total cost of the aircraft maintenance was in 2012 about $ 80 billion, including maintenance, repair and overhaul, ie. MRO market (Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul), the operators of these aircraft have spent about $ 60.7 billion – of which 40% were direct maintenance costs of the engines. It can be concluded that main influencer on airline direct maintenance costs are spending for power plants. The article shows that the appropriate exploitation of the engine, leading not only to the total operating costs (mainly the cost of fuel and maintenance) reduction. Also through continuously engine health monitoring, resulting in a higher reliability, and thereby increases the safety of flying and – what is now especially important – by decreasing fuel consumption reduces greenhouse gas and exhaust toxic components emissions. The modern aircraft engine and its basic performances were described. Based on data, analysis from approximately twenty thousand flights of the specific operator and self-experience, the benefits from the use of specific maintenance and operational tasks are presented. Results of the calculations were demonstrated which proved that engine life extension between overhaul (TBO) has impact on the operator’s maintenance reserves reduction, positive cash flow and fuel cost savings. The article confirms that it need not be contradiction between aircraft operator economic effect, and the improvement of safety of flying.