Its purpose is to keep the aircraft in a state of airworthiness, to be safe for crew and passengers, as well as anyone in its service area. Types of required maintenance vary by class and type of aircraft, but generally break down into line maintenance, heavy maintenance, and shop or component maintenance.

The primary goal of aircraft maintenance in 2026 is to ensure the continued airworthiness and safety of the vessel, which involves a philosophy of "preventative" rather than "reactive" care. Specifically, maintenance aims to detect and correct potential mechanical failures before they can compromise the safety of the crew and passengers. This is achieved through a structured system of A, B, C, and D checks, ranging from overnight visual inspections to complete teardowns of the airframe every few years. Beyond safety, maintenance is critical for operational reliability; an "AOG" (Aircraft on Ground) situation costs airlines thousands of dollars per hour in lost revenue and passenger compensation. In 2026, this also includes "Predictive Maintenance," using AI and sensor data to replace parts just before they fail, thereby maximizing the lifespan of expensive components like turbine blades and landing gear. Ultimately, the goal is to provide a flight environment where the probability of a critical system failure is statistically near zero.