Why Aircraft Parts Get Stuck at African Customs | Aviation Parts Supply | Aviation Africa | Martin
In this interview with Travel And Tour World at Aviation Africa, Martin D. Cooper, Senior Vice President of Sales at C&L Aerospace, discusses how the company is helping African airlines and MROs get aircraft parts faster, reduce downtime, and keep operations running smoothly. Key highlights: 1. C&L Aerospace is an aviation parts supplier serving the regional airline sector and the corporate parts sector. 2. This is C&L Aerospace's third straight year exhibiting at Aviation Africa, with Cooper noting the show keeps growing. 3. Cooper reports higher attendance than in previous years, describing the mood as very positive and engagement as active. 4. C&L Aerospace's business model includes acquiring aircraft, tearing them down, and building rotable parts pools, along with OEM distributorships and licenses. 5. The company runs an MRO facility in the U.S. offering heavy maintenance, a landing gear shop (ERJ, Boeing 737, MVR-170 gears), a wheel and brake/component shop, and an interior shop. 6. C&L Aerospace opened a Johannesburg warehouse two years ago to stock common parts locally, helping cut lead times and handle AOGs (Aircraft on Ground) faster. 7. About four months ago, the company launched an online parts portal allowing airlines and MRO customers to search inventory, view certifications and pricing, and place orders 24/7. 8. The biggest challenge in Africa remains fast parts delivery, due to customs clearance delays and indirect flight routes. 9. Cooper says the company's key differentiator is being service-oriented: fast quoting, competitive pricing, quality products, and on-time delivery. 10. The online parts portal represents C&L Aerospace's biggest step toward supporting tech-driven improvements in African aviation. 11. C&L Aerospace has had a sales team in Africa for over four years, viewing Aviation Africa as key for strengthening relationships and meeting new customers. About Travel And Tour World: Travel And Tour World is a global travel media platform covering travel, tourism, hospitality, aviation, MICE, cruise, and luxury travel, with readership across 195 countries. [C&L Aerospace, Aviation Africa 2026, Aircraft parts supplier, Aviation MRO, African aviation industry, C&L Aerospace parts supplier interview Aviation Africa, Aviation parts company Johannesburg warehouse Africa, How aircraft AOG parts are sourced in Africa, C&L Aerospace online parts portal for airlines, Aviation parts lead time challenges in Africa, MRO landing gear wheel brake shop services, C&L Aerospace Johannesburg, C&L Aerospace MRO USA, C&L Aerospace parts portal, Martin Cooper C&L Aerospace, Aviation Africa 2026 exhibitors, Aircraft parts supply chain Africa, Aviation industry growth Africa 2026, Digital parts ordering aviation trend, AOG support aviation trend] #CLAerospace #AviationAfrica2026 #AircraftParts #AviationMRO #AfricanAviation #AOGSupport #AviationSupplyChain #MartinCooper #TravelAndTourWorld #AviationIndustry #Aviation