AS9110

AS9110 is specifically designed for organizations that deliver maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services within the aerospace sector.

This includes independent aircraft maintenance facilities, airline maintenance divisions, component repair shops, overhaul stations, and companies responsible for managing continuing airworthiness.

Any business whose core services involve maintaining or repairing aircraft and aerospace components, rather than manufacturing or distribution, will find AS9110 most relevant and beneficial. The standard is in place so that these organizations can demonstrate robust quality management and regulatory compliance tailored to the unique demands of aerospace maintenance.

Achieving AS9110 certification demonstrates your organization’s deep commitment to maintenance quality, operational safety, and regulatory compliance.

Certification provides assurance to customers, regulators, and partners that your maintenance processes are controlled, documented, and continually improved.

The outcomes include increased customer trust and satisfaction, enhanced reputation, and eligibility for new contracts or partnerships that require certified suppliers. Organizations often experience improvements in process efficiency, error reduction, and more effective risk management.

Ongoing certification also promotes a culture of continual improvement, motivating staff engagement and ensuring your organization remains competitive and compliant in the evolving aerospace industry.

You can search the IAQG’s Online Aerospace Supplier Information System (OASIS) database to check if a company is A9110-certified.

Maintained by the International Aerospace Quality Group, OASIS is the authoritative source for up-to-date certification status of AS9110-certified organizations globally.

AS9110 builds on ISO 9001 and AS9100, but adds additional requirements tailored for maintenance operations.

Unlike AS9100, which focuses on design and manufacturing, and AS9120, which targets distributors, AS9110 requires organizations to manage technical data, maintenance records, and configuration control specific to MRO. It addresses issues such as airworthiness, proper release of serviced items, and regulatory reporting—areas not emphasized in the other standards.

This makes AS9110 the most relevant choice for organizations whose primary business is aerospace maintenance and repair.

AS9110 certification is not a legal requirement, but it is often a contractual or business necessity within the aerospace sector. Many clients, OEMs, and aviation authorities either require or strongly prefer their service providers to be AS9110-certified.

Certification can be a key market differentiator and often a prerequisite for certain projects or supply chains.

Engaging a consultant with AS9110 and aerospace industry expertise could be beneficial.

Consultants can help organizations interpret the standard’s requirements, develop and document efficient processes, train employees, and conduct internal audits or gap analyses. They also provide valuable guidance in preparing for the certification audit and addressing any nonconformities.

While organizations may choose to engage independent consultants to support implementation, certification must always be conducted by an accredited third-party body such as Amtivo. Certification bodies must maintain impartiality and do not provide consultancy services.

The timeframe to achieve AS9110 certification will depend on several factors, including the size and complexity of your organization, the current maturity of your AQMS, and the resources you dedicate to the process.

For most organizations, the journey from initial planning to certification typically takes between six months and a year. This process includes system development, documentation, employee training, internal audits, corrective actions, and the two-stage certification audit required by the standard.

An AQMS is a set of structured processes and procedures designed so that aerospace products and services can meet strict industry, customer, and regulatory requirements.

It covers areas such as maintenance practices, documentation control, supplier management, and continual improvement.

Following standards like AS9100 or AS9110, organizations can increase safety, reliability, and customer confidence while ensuring ongoing compliance within the aerospace sector.

An AS9110 certification lasts for three years before your organization needs to become recertified.

Once certified, organizations must maintain their AS9110 system through regular monitoring, internal audits, and continual improvement activities.

Your chosen certification body will conduct annual surveillance audits to verify your ongoing compliance with standard requirements, and a comprehensive recertification audit is required every three years.

Maintaining certification also involves keeping up with regulatory changes, responding to audit findings, and ensuring that all staff remain trained and engaged with the QMS requirements. This ongoing commitment helps sustain high standards of quality, safety, and regulatory alignment.

The cost of any certification depends on number of factors, including organization size, structure, and the maturity of the existing AQMS. Where relevant, independent training or external support may also affect overall costs.

Request a free quote from us today to learn more about how much your organization’s certification journey could cost.