Company Description
AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) is a global aerospace and defense aftermarket solutions company. According to company disclosures, AAR supports commercial and government customers through four operating segments: Parts Supply, Repair & Engineering, Integrated Solutions, and Expeditionary Services. The company is headquartered in the Chicago area and has operations in more than 20 countries.
In its Parts Supply segment, AAR focuses on the sales and leasing of used serviceable material (USM) and the aftermarket distribution of new, OEM-supplied replacement parts. The company also highlights its new parts Distribution activities, which include exclusive commercial distribution agreements with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Recent examples include exclusive global or commercial distribution arrangements for actuation, valve, reservoir, de-icing, and specialty systems product lines, as well as commercial actuation products used on various Boeing and Airbus platforms.
The Repair & Engineering segment provides airframe maintenance, component repair, and landing gear overhaul services. AAR has expanded this segment through acquisitions such as HAECO Americas, which performs heavy aircraft maintenance, repair, overhaul, and engineering services at facilities in the United States. The company has also announced an agreement to acquire Aircraft Reconfig Technologies, an aircraft interiors engineering company specializing in passenger aircraft reconfiguration, engineering, and certification work. These activities are aimed at strengthening AAR's engineering and certification capabilities for more complex aircraft modifications.
Through its Integrated Solutions segment, AAR operates fleet management and customer-owned aircraft programs and delivers customized performance-based supply chain logistics for government and defense customers, including programs that support the U.S. Department of Defense. This segment also encompasses flight hour component inventory and related support arrangements designed to keep aircraft available and mission-ready.
The Expeditionary Services segment consists of products and services that support the movement of equipment and personnel by U.S. and foreign governments and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These offerings are focused on enabling customers to deploy and sustain operations in demanding environments, complementing AAR's broader aerospace and defense aftermarket activities.
AAR has also developed a notable presence in digital aviation solutions through subsidiaries. Trax, a wholly owned subsidiary of AAR, provides aviation maintenance enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and integrated mobile applications that help airlines, MROs, and cargo operators digitize and modernize maintenance operations. Trax's eMRO platform, eMobility applications, and cloud hosting solutions are used by airlines globally to manage maintenance workflows, electronic logbooks, and mobile access to technical documentation. Another subsidiary, Aerostrat, offers advanced maintenance planning software, Aerros, which supports long-range maintenance forecasting and optimization for air carriers.
Airinmar, also a subsidiary of AAR, focuses on component repair cycle management and aircraft warranty management support services. Airinmar works with airlines, helicopter operators, MROs, OEMs, and military programs to help reduce repair expenditure, improve component availability, and enhance operational efficiency through tailored warranty and value engineering services.
AAR's global footprint includes joint ventures and partnerships that extend its capabilities. For example, xCelle Asia, a joint venture with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance, is an FAA/EASA-certified repair station in Thailand that overhauls nacelles for new generation aircraft. Licensed by multiple OEMs, xCelle Asia performs nacelle maintenance, repair, and overhaul services, including on-wing and on-site inspections and rotable support for next generation nacelles such as those used with GEnx, Trent1000, and LEAP-1A/1B engine types.
The company emphasizes its role as an independent provider of aviation aftermarket parts, repairs, and software. Management commentary in recent results highlights growth in new parts Distribution, airframe heavy maintenance, and component repair, as well as the increasing use of Trax by airlines to manage and procure the parts and repairs that AAR offers. This combination of physical parts distribution, maintenance and engineering services, and digital tools creates an integrated value chain across the aviation aftermarket.
AAR's customer base, as described in its communications, spans commercial airlines, MROs, OEMs, helicopter operators, and government and defense organizations worldwide. Its activities cover areas such as heavy airframe maintenance, component repair, nacelle services, aircraft interiors engineering, aircraft warranty management, and digital MRO and planning solutions. The company also engages in equity offerings and acquisitions to fund and expand its operations, as reflected in recent public offerings and strategic transactions disclosed in its SEC filings.
Business Segments
- Parts Supply: Sales and leasing of used serviceable material and aftermarket distribution of new OEM parts, including exclusive distribution agreements for specific product lines.
- Repair & Engineering: Airframe maintenance, component repair, landing gear overhaul, and expanded engineering and certification capabilities through acquisitions such as HAECO Americas and Aircraft Reconfig Technologies.
- Integrated Solutions: Fleet management, operation of customer-owned aircraft, and performance-based logistics and supply chain programs supporting commercial and government customers, including the U.S. Department of Defense.
- Expeditionary Services: Products and services that support the movement and sustainment of equipment and personnel for U.S. and foreign governments and NGOs.
Subsidiaries and Digital Capabilities
- Trax: Aviation maintenance ERP and mobile applications, including eMRO, eMobility, and cloud hosting solutions for airlines, MROs, and cargo operators.
- Aerostrat: Provider of Aerros maintenance planning software for base maintenance scheduling, aircraft allocation, and long-range maintenance optimization.
- Airinmar: Provider of component repair cycle management and aircraft warranty management support services aimed at reducing maintenance costs and improving component availability.
Geographic Presence and Partnerships
AAR states that it operates in over 20 countries and supports customers across commercial, general aviation, and defense markets. Its partnerships include distribution agreements with Collins Aerospace and Arkwin Industries, as well as joint ventures such as xCelle Asia with Air France Industries KLM Engineering & Maintenance. These relationships support AAR's role in the global aviation aftermarket by combining OEM product lines, logistics networks, and specialized maintenance capabilities.
Stock Information
AAR CORP.'s common stock, with a par value of $1.00 per share, trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol AIR, as indicated in multiple SEC filings. The company files periodic and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, which provide detailed information on its operations, financial condition, risk factors, and material events.
Stock Performance
Latest News
SEC Filings
Insider Radar
Financial Highlights
Upcoming Events
CFO appointment and VP return
Aircraft interiors acquisition
Acquisition close expected
E-6B training contract ends
Short Interest History
Short interest in Aar (AIR) currently stands at 1.2 million shares, down 1.1% from the previous reporting period, representing 3.1% of the float. Over the past 12 months, short interest has increased by 93.8%. This relatively low short interest suggests limited bearish sentiment.
Days to Cover History
Days to cover for Aar (AIR) currently stands at 3.1 days, down 22.1% from the previous period. This days-to-cover ratio represents a balanced liquidity scenario for short positions. The ratio has shown significant volatility over the period, ranging from 1.2 to 3.9 days.