Aircraft Retirements Hit Lowest Point

aircraft artistic concept
Credit: Baranozdemir/Getty Images

In-service commercial jet and turboprop fleets plateaued in October, and the percentage of the global fleet (14%) classified as parked was unchanged. Meanwhile, aircraft retirements have steadily declined since March, reaching the lowest level in over three years. Aviation Week data shows retirements in the first nine months of 2021 were 40% lower than in 2020. This means teardowns that generate used serviceable material for MRO are unlikely to pick up in the near future.

 

 

Lee Ann Shay

As executive editor of MRO and business aviation, Lee Ann Shay directs Aviation Week's coverage of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), including Inside MRO, and business aviation, including BCA.