In Guadalajara’s thriving industrial corridor—where tradition and technology intersect—a quiet force is propelling Mexico’s aviation industry toward global prominence. That force is Aviation Technical Services GDL (ATS GDL), a 100% Mexican-owned MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) company redefining precision, reliability, and specialization in aircraft component maintenance.

Founded in 2016 and led by Eric Gallegos Bautista, a seasoned engineer with over 25 years in the aerospace sector, ATS GDL has become synonymous with technical excellence and customer trust. With a focus on brakes, wheels, and batteries—critical yet often overlooked components—the company has carved out a niche that merges deep specialization with uncompromising quality.

“We recognized a critical niche,” says Gallegos. “Operators of regional aircraft needed more than general maintenance—they needed a dedicated partner with unmatched expertise.”

That vision—to elevate precision component maintenance into a science of its own—has guided ATS GDL’s steady ascent from a small, specialized workshop to a national reference point for aerospace engineering.

From Vision to Leadership

Eric Gallegos’ journey reflects the evolution of Mexico’s aerospace industry itself: technical mastery meeting entrepreneurial foresight. A graduate of the Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) in Aeronautical Engineering, Gallegos began his career at Aeromexico Airlines, where he refined his expertise in aircraft systems analysis and maintenance optimization. His roles at ALMA Airlines and QET Tech Aerospace deepened his experience in fleet management, engineering, and logistics for major carriers like Viva Aerobus, Mexicana de and Aviación.

By 2012, Gallegos was leading aerospace manufacturing projects through his company Vertical Force México, achieving AS9100 certification and contributing to the development of specialized aerospace supply chains. Those years laid the groundwork for what would become ATS GDL—a venture that fused technical precision with strategic foresight.

“Our goal was not just to build a business,” Gallegos explains. “It was to strengthen Mexico’s aerospace value chain by proving that local expertise could meet and exceed international standards.”

Engineering Depth Over Breadth

While the global MRO industry often rewards scale, ATS GDL took a contrarian approach: specialization over expansion. The company focused intensely on brakes, wheels, and batteries—the high-cycle, safety-critical components that define flight reliability.

This strategic focus became its greatest competitive advantage. By mastering these systems rather than dispersing resources across multiple platforms, ATS GDL achieved a level of depth and consistency unmatched by larger, full-service MROs.

“We offer depth of excellence over breadth of services,” says Gallegos. “Our intimate understanding of wear patterns, failure modes, and performance nuances translates directly into better safety, faster turnaround, and longer component life for our clients.”

Through lean operational processes, custom tooling, and a performance database built over years of service, ATS GDL delivers predictable turnaround times (TATs) and cost stability—critical for operators who cannot afford extended downtime.

A Multi-Layered System of Trust

Aircraft maintenance is a business of precision, compliance, and credibility—and ATS GDL has built its reputation on all three. Every overhaul, repair, and inspection passes through a multi-layered quality framework designed to exceed regulatory requirements.

At the foundation lies reliability through data. The company maintains a detailed component performance database that supports proactive maintenance advisories—helping customers anticipate issues before they cause costly AOG (Aircraft on Ground) events.

Next comes safety through innovation. ATS GDL’s advanced chemical stripping and inspection protocol for carbon heat packs enables the detection of subtle defects invisible to traditional methods. Specialized overhaul of components like shuttle valves prevents in-service issues such as brake lockups—enhancing operational safety.

Finally, there is compliance through precision. The company’s “compliance-by-default” model embeds all applicable Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins (SBs), and OEM guidelines into its quality system, ensuring every delivered unit meets or surpasses AFAC (Mexico) and FAA (U.S.) standards.

“Every layer of our process is designed to inspire confidence,” Gallegos emphasizes. “Reliability, safety, and compliance are not separate objectives—they’re a single system of trust.”

Global Standards, Local Expertise

What truly distinguishes ATS GDL is its ability to deliver European-level precision within a Mexican operational context. Its strategic alliance with KUNZ Germany—a leader in aircraft maintenance tooling and equipment—has been pivotal in elevating its capabilities.

Through this collaboration, ATS GDL gains direct access to advanced engineering resources, proprietary data, and best practices from Europe’s highly regulated aviation environment. The result: a hybrid model that blends local agility with global rigor.

“Our partnership with KUNZ Germany acts as a force multiplier,” says Gallegos. “It allows us to take on more complex repair schemes, extend component lifecycles, and deliver value that rivals any international MRO.”

This partnership also symbolizes ATS GDL’s broader philosophy—collaboration as a catalyst for excellence. By bridging continents and competencies, the company is helping position Mexico as a key node in the global aerospace value chain.

Digital Transformation with a Human Core

While ATS GDL’s roots are in mechanical engineering, its growth is increasingly driven by digital transformation. The company is digitizing every stage of the MRO process—from traceability to customer engagement—to enhance speed, transparency, and satisfaction.

Its component history database provides real-time visibility into each unit’s maintenance lifecycle, ensuring full traceability and data-driven recommendations. Predictive analytics derived from this system are already helping customers optimize inspection intervals and reduce unscheduled maintenance.

Operationally, ATS GDL has embraced lean digital workflows tailored specifically for the Embraer ERJ 145 platform, minimizing handling time and maximizing efficiency. The company also offers flexible service models, including rotable pool agreements and power-by-the-hour programs, which give customers financial predictability and operational peace of mind.

“Technology enables speed and traceability,” says Gallegos. “But at the heart of it, our business is still about people—engineers, technicians, and customers who depend on trust.”

Empowering Mexico’s Next Generation of Aviation Talent

Behind ATS GDL’s technical success lies a strong commitment to human capital development. The company attracts top technicians and engineers by offering what few others can: a chance to become specialists.

Rather than generalist training, ATS GDL provides hands-on mentorship from senior experts, OEM-standard technical instruction, and immersive training programs focused exclusively on high-value aircraft systems.

“Our technicians are not just executing tasks—they’re solving problems,” Gallegos explains. “We train them to think critically, trace root causes, and innovate within the constraints of safety and compliance.”

By cultivating deep specialization, the company is also nurturing Mexico’s broader aviation ecosystem—creating a pipeline of skilled professionals capable of advancing the nation’s aerospace competitiveness on the world stage.

Sustainability Through Longevity

In an industry that often equates modernization with replacement, ATS GDL champions a more sustainable path: life extension through innovation.

Its approach—repair over replacement—minimizes material waste, reduces the carbon footprint of new manufacturing, and offers airlines a more environmentally and financially responsible solution. By refining repair schemes and introducing cost-effective life-extension programs, ATS GDL not only saves resources but also extends the operational lifespan of mature aircraft fleets.

“Sustainability for us is not a slogan,” Gallegos says. “It’s embedded in the way we work—helping our clients and our planet by maximizing the value of every component.”

Charting the Course to 2026 and Beyond

As the company looks ahead, its strategic roadmap reflects both ambition and focus. ATS GDL aims to expand from brakes to complete landing gear systems, encompassing wheels and tires to become the leading regional provider for ERJ 145 platforms. The company also sees significant growth potential in cargo conversion markets and regional fleet modernization across the Americas.

Certification efforts are already underway for EASA approval by 2026, which will unlock new opportunities with European carriers and strengthen ATS GDL’s position in global maintenance networks.

At the same time, the company remains deeply rooted in its mission to support Mexico’s industrial growth—by creating high-value jobs, advancing technical expertise, and ensuring that Mexican airlines can depend on world-class maintenance solutions at home.

“We see ourselves as part of Mexico’s aerospace future,” says Gallegos. “Our growth strengthens the national ecosystem—and proves that Mexican engineering can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.”

Precision, Pride, and Purpose

From its humble beginnings in Guadalajara to its recognition as one of the Best Aircraft Maintenance Providers in Mexico – 2026, ATS GDL’s story is one of precision built on purpose. It’s a company where data meets discipline, innovation meets integrity, and every component serviced carries the mark of Mexican excellence engineered for the skies.

In an era where aviation depends as much on reliability as on reinvention, ATS GDL has emerged as the benchmark for what technical leadership looks like—local in roots, global in reach, and unwavering in quality.