In a significant leap forward for aviation supply chain security, Boeing, in collaboration with Southwest Airlines and Aeroxchange Ltd., has successfully executed the industry’s first shipment of an aircraft part accompanied by a fully digital FAA Form 8130-3 Authorized Release Certificate. This move replaces a decades-old paper-based system with a secure, encrypted electronic record, setting a new standard for preventing unapproved parts from entering the global aerospace aftermarket.
The inaugural shipment involved a battery serviced at Boeing’s facility in Davie, Florida. Using Aeroxchange’s eARC™ platform, the digital certificate was securely transmitted to Southwest Airlines in Dallas, where technicians verified the part’s authenticity and airworthiness electronically. The digital 8130-3 leverages advanced X.509 security protocols and public/private key encryption to authenticate the authorized signer’s identity and ensure the document’s integrity, creating an immutable, verifiable record throughout the part’s lifecycle.
“This industry-first shipment reflects Boeing’s dedication to pursuing game-changing solutions through teamwork,” said William Ampofo, Boeing Global Services SVP of Parts & Distribution and Supply Chain. He emphasized that the collaboration is fundamentally transforming how the industry ensures part authenticity.
For airlines, the benefits are direct and substantial. “The security benefit of electronic forms aligns with Southwest’s Safety-first culture and will be of significant benefit across the aviation industry,” noted Landon Nitschke, Southwest’s SVP of Technical Operations. The digital process eliminates risks associated with lost, forged, or altered paper certificates, streamlining logistics and enhancing traceability.
Aeroxchange CEO Al Koszarek hailed the event as “a milestone on the industry’s journey to prevent unapproved parts,” highlighting the platform’s role in providing a highly secure, verifiable digital record.
This pioneering effort directly supports a key recommendation from the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition (ASCIC), a cross-industry group focused on supply chain security of which all three partners are active members. Boeing plans to expand the use of the digital certificate across its global network of nine product repair centers as each receives necessary FAA authorization for electronic systems.
The successful pilot marks a pivotal step toward a fully digital, transparent, and secure aviation supply chain. By marrying regulatory compliance with cutting-edge cybersecurity, the initiative provides a scalable model for the entire industry, promising to bolster safety, reduce fraud, and increase efficiency for manufacturers, suppliers, and airlines worldwide.
