Strategic direction for aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul hub after crisis recovery

Thailand must set a clear strategic direction for its aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry after the crisis. Commonly used management tools such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis, or SWOT analysis, alone may not work well as it provides only a basic outline of the current situation, but cannot identify priority areas for taking actions. We enhanced SWOT analysis using a multi-criteria decision-making technique called analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The SWOT-AHP combined tool can prioritize the internal and external factors affecting its strategic direction. The potential of the Southeast Asian MRO market, strong government support, and advanced digital technology development are among the areas highlighted for strategic planning in the future after recovery from the pandemic crisis. Priorities for strategic directions include strong government support and specific labor skill development, robust regulations and advanced technology adoption, and the support of local transportation infrastructure and supply chains.