Boeing, Airline Partners Set New Standard for Parts Authentication

Rhea-AI Summary

Boeing (NYSE: BA), with Southwest Airlines and Aeroxchange, completed the aerospace industry’s first parts shipment accompanied by a digital FAA Form 8130-3 Authorized Release Certificate on Oct. 13, 2025.

The pilot used a battery repaired at Boeing's Davie, Florida center, transmitted via Aeroxchange eARC™, and verified on receipt in Dallas. The digital 8130 uses X.509 security protocols, public/private key encryption and blockchain-ready formats to authenticate signer identity and ensure document integrity.

Boeing plans to roll out the digital 8130 across its nine product repair services centers as each receives FAA authorization for electronic recordkeeping and signatures.

Positive

• Industry-first digital 8130-3 shipment completed
• Pilot used Aeroxchange eARC™ to deliver a verified battery to Southwest
• Planned rollout across nine Boeing product repair services centers

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aerospace supply-chain expert

Digital 8130-3 pilot creates a verifiable electronic chain of custody for FAA-authorized parts, reducing risk of unapproved spares.

Boeing, together with Southwest Airlines and Aeroxchange, executed the aerospace industry's first parts shipment accompanied by an electronic FAA Form 8130-3 on Oct. 13, 2025. The transmitted record used the Aeroxchange eARC™ platform and applied X.509 security, public/private key encryption, and blockchain-ready formats to authenticate signer identity and preserve document integrity. The first part was a battery serviced at Boeing's Davie, Florida repair center and received at Southwest's Dallas facility.

The business mechanism is straightforward: replace paper certificates with an encrypted, verifiable file that travels with a part's lifecycle. This reduces the chance that unapproved parts enter the aftermarket by providing an immutable audit trail and a machine-verifiable signature. Deployment depends on FAA authorization for electronic recordkeeping and signatures; Boeing plans to expand the digital 8130 across its nine product repair services centers as each receives approval.

Key dependencies and risks include FAA authorization timelines and adoption by repair centers and trading partners. Monitor FAA clearances and the pace of rollouts to all nine centers as primary milestones. Also watch broader industry uptake via ASCIC engagement and additional transmissions on the Aeroxchange eARC platform in the next 6–18 months for measurable scale.

PLANO, Texas, Oct. 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA], in partnership with Southwest Airlines (SWA) and Aeroxchange Ltd., has successfully completed the aerospace industry's first parts shipment accompanied by a digital 8130-3 certificate—an electronic version of the FAA-governed 8130-3 Authorized Release Certificate. This milestone advances supply chain security by preventing unapproved spare parts from entering the aerospace aftermarket.

"This industry-first shipment reflects Boeing's dedication to pursuing game-changing solutions through teamwork and partnership," said William Ampofo, senior vice president, Parts & Distribution and Supply Chain, Boeing Global Services. "Together with Southwest Airlines and Aeroxchange, we are transforming how the industry ensures part authenticity and supply chain security."

The FAA Form 8130-3 certifies the airworthiness of aircraft parts, components and articles. The digital 8130 certificate replaces the traditional paper certificate with a secure, encrypted file that authenticates the authorized signer's identity and ensures document integrity. Boeing led a pilot project to generate and gain authorization for this digital solution.

Recently, a battery serviced at Boeing's product repair services center in Davie, Florida, was the first part shipped using the electronic form, transmitted using the Aeroxchange eARC™ platform. Southwest Airlines received the battery at its Dallas facility, verifying its authenticity and airworthiness through the new digital process.

"Southwest is proud to be a partner in the electronic process of document transfers and thrilled to be onsite for the very first delivery of a ship battery using this process. The security benefit of electronic forms aligns to Southwest's value of a Safety-first culture and will be of significant benefit in the aviation industry," said Landon Nitschke, senior vice president, Technical Operations, Southwest Airlines.

"Aeroxchange is honored to have partnered with Boeing and Southwest Airlines to transmit this first ever eARC document providing a highly secure, verifiable digital record of the Authorized Release Certificate, Form 8130-3," said Al Koszarek, president and CEO of Aeroxchange. "This landmark event is a milestone on the industry's journey to prevent unapproved parts from entering the aviation supply chain."

Leveraging industry-leading X.509 security protocols, public/private key encryption, and blockchain-ready formats, the digital 8130 certificate creates an immutable, verifiable record of part authenticity throughout its lifecycle.

Boeing will continue rolling out use of the digital 8130 certificate across all nine of its product repair services centers, as each center receives authorization from the FAA to use electronic systems for recordkeeping, electronic signatures and electronic manuals.

Expanding the use of digital authorized release certificates was a key recommendation from the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition (ASCIC), a cross-industry group dedicated to preventing unapproved parts from entering the aviation supply chain. Boeing, Southwest Airlines and Aeroxchange are active members of the ASCIC.

A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity.  

Contact
Paula Horton
Boeing Communications
1-425-919-9351
paula.r.horton@boeing.com 

Boeing Media Relations
media@boeing.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-airline-partners-set-new-standard-for-parts-authentication-302581242.html

SOURCE Boeing

FAQ

What did Boeing announce about the digital 8130-3 certificate (BA) on Oct. 13, 2025?

Boeing announced the industry’s first parts shipment using an electronic FAA Form 8130-3, delivered with a secure digital certificate.

How was the first digital 8130-3 transmitted for Boeing (BA)?

The electronic 8130-3 was transmitted using the Aeroxchange eARC™ platform.

Which Boeing repair center issued the part used in the first digital 8130-3 shipment (BA)?

A battery serviced at Boeing’s product repair services center in Davie, Florida was the part shipped.

How will Boeing (BA) expand use of the digital 8130 certificate?

Boeing said it will roll out the digital 8130 across its nine product repair services centers as each receives FAA authorization for electronic systems.

What security technologies underpin Boeing’s (BA) digital 8130-3?

The digital certificate uses X.509 protocols, public/private key encryption and blockchain-ready formats to create immutable, verifiable records.