This study investigates the mediating role of Supply Chain Management Capabilities (SCMCs) in the association between Supply Chain Management Practices (SCMPs) and the sustainability of Aviation Ground Maintenance Operations (AGMOs) within the UAE aviation sector. Owing to the accelerated expansion of aviation activities across the region, airports, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisations, and airline operators are increasingly recognising sustainable ground maintenance systems as a strategic organisational imperative. The research adopts an analytical cross-sectional design and gathers data through a structured survey administered to professionals and managerial personnel engaged in aviation maintenance, procurement, and supply chain functions across UAE aviation organisations. The investigation focuses on three principal SCMPs, namely Supplier Management (SM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and Procurement Management (PM), to evaluate both their direct and indirect influence on sustainable AGMO outcomes. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) is employed to assess the measurement model, structural relationships, and the proposed hypotheses. The empirical findings demonstrate that all three SCMP dimensions exert statistically significant positive effects on both SCMCs and AGMO sustainability. In addition, SCMCs significantly mediate the linkage between managerial supply chain practices and sustainable operational performance. The results further indicate that sustainability within aviation ground maintenance services is shaped not solely by operational-level practices, but also by the organisation’s capability to integrate supply chain activities, facilitate inter-organisational coordination, promote information exchange, and strengthen stakeholder collaboration. The study enriches the existing body of knowledge concerning sustainable aviation supply chains while also providing practical insights for policy-makers, aviation executives, and aircraft maintenance organisations seeking to balance operational efficiency with environmental and sustainability-related responsibilities.