Airlines Outsource Upkeep

The struggling airline industry, continually seeking ways to cut costs, has seen a rise in outsourcing of maintenance services. According to The Washington Post, more than 50 percent of all service tasks are performed by contractors – many of whom are outside the United States. For many, this trend has brought about safety and security concerns, given the difficulty in assuring contractors' competence. While airline-employed maintenance workers are subject to intensive background checks and surveillance, third-party contractors are not. As more US airlines look to shift maintenance activities overseas, safety officials will, indeed, have their hands full.– YaleGlobal