Brian Hiner, business operations manager for GE Aerospace, and Derek Paterson, vice president of sales and leasing in the Middle East, Europe and Africa for Aero Capital Solutions, will join Cargo Facts EMEA for the panel discussion “Navigating the engine and MRO crisis: Cost pressures, shop capacity and emerging solutions” on Thursday, April 30, at 9:15 (GMT+2).

The eighth annual Cargo Facts EMEA event takes place April 28-30 at the Marriott Hotel Grand Place in Brussels, where key market influencers will assemble to share their outlook on the latest developments and market trends in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

View the Cargo Facts EMEA 2026 agenda.

Hiner has been with GE for twenty-six years. For the past six years, he has led business operations for the CF6 and GE90 programs, which power 747, 767, A330 and 777 freighters.

High demand for GE90s from passenger carriers remains a challenge for freighter operators flying 777Fs and for the three 777 conversion programs.

Paterson joined Aero Capital Solutions in October 2018. Previous roles include EMEA sales director at MTU Maintenance and technical, quality and commercial roles at Rolls-Royce.

Aero Capital Solutions was one of the first lessors to invest in 737-800 and A321 conversions, and also has a portfolio of CFM56 and V2500 engines.

Hiner and Paterson will discuss:

• Dealing with engine shortages, skyrocketing LLP costs and regional labor challenges;
• Securing MRO capacity in EMEA or pivoting to other regions because of war-related risks; and
• Overcoming tariff uncertainty related to engines and parts.

Cargo Facts EMEA 2026 will take place April 28-30 in Brussels at the Marriott Hotel Grand Place. For more information and to register, visit CargoFactsEvents.com.