Line Maintenance Behind the Scenes: Building a Winning Team for Tomorrow
26. march 2025
In line maintenance, technicians work hard to keep aircraft safe and airworthy between flights. With a network of 15 stations in the largest airports across Europe and Africa, our teams handle everything from scheduled inspections to AOG urgent technical fixes, ensuring planes depart again in top condition.
As they say, in our line of business, aircraft don’t wait. Arrival and departure times are strict. The technical staff who maintain the aircraft work close together to meet tight deadlines. This creates a unique environment where technical skills and teamwork are equally important.
To understand what it takes to succeed in the line maintenance field and how Magnetic Line builds a team for tomorrow as an employer, we spoke with Amsterdam-based Ellen Koster, HR Manager at Magnetic Line. Below, she shares more details about the current market and how the company invests in its people.
Within the competitive market, skilled technicians hold the power
“The global shortage of aviation technicians is the number one topic for everybody in the line maintenance business,” Ellen explains. “To stay ahead, all employers are taking necessary measures, such as raising salaries, improving benefits, and stepping up their recruitment efforts. It’s a candidate-driven market, where skilled professionals have more job security and more opportunities to grow.”
Magnetic Line focuses on both attracting new talent and nurturing the people already in the team. “We invest in internal development,” Ellen says. “For mechanics, we’re working on a plan to combine practical work with achieving Part-66 modules. For experienced engineers, we offer type rating courses. In the past 3 years, our engineers have completed as many as 249 type-rating courses.
There’s also the much-welcomed opportunity to work at other stations across our network. This so-called “interstation relief” makes it possible for our staff to develop and grow further, connect and learn from colleagues on other stations, and dive into different cultures.
What does the company look for in an employee?
What does it take to be a great line maintenance technician? According to Ellen, it goes beyond technical skills. “Of course, people with technical expertise and practical experience are needed. But personality and passion matter equally so. Our business is divided into geographically separated stations that are more like individual teams. These teams work closely together, communication and cooperation are crucial. Skills can be learned, but your attitude and character are what make you a good fit with the Magnetic Line team and our company culture.”
Why come work for us?
As part of Magnetic Line, our employees benefit from belonging to a larger organization while maintaining the personal touch of a smaller independent line maintenance business, “We prioritize work-life balance, competitive compensation, and career growth,” Ellen says. “It’s not just about getting the job done; it’s about feeling valued and supported with having the freedom to make decisions.”