Changes Underway In Aircraft Recycling

One of Europe’s first aircraft disassembly companies, Air Salvage International is one of the founding members of the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA). In addition to more conventional disassembly and recycling practices, the company takes a unique approach to aircraft recycling, selling airframes to unconventional buyers like theme parks, flight attendant schools and film companies.

As the biggest aircraft storage company in Europe, Tarmac Aerosave receives approximately 20-25% of its revenues from aircraft dismantling. The company’s recycling process can recover 90% of the total weight of an aircraft.

To help meet the growing demand for aircraft recycling, Tarmac Aerosave is expanding its infrastructure—including a second hangar for extra widebodied jets in Tarbes, France and a new mid-haul hangar in Teruel, Spain.

Announced late 2016, Marana Aerospace will merge with Ascent Aviation Services to provide maintenance, flight line, storage and reclamation services out of two facilities in Arizona spanning more than 1,250 acres. Marana’s end of life services combined with Ascent’s consigned part sales should increase aircraft recycling operations for the MRO merger.

Pacific Aerospace Resources & Technologies (PART) in Victorville, California, is up for sale. Bids are due Sept. 7 for the financially troubled company that provides MRO, aircraft storage and disassembly. Tiger Group, which is conducting the sealed-bid sale in cooperation with Cloud Investment Partners, says more than 250 aircraft are stored in Victorville.

Previously, AELS had sent crews to disassemble most widebodies on location due to airfield constraints at its existing facilities. AELS is finishing up disassembly of its first aircraft in the new facility—a former Swiss International Air Lines A340-300 purchased from a European lessor.

One of Europe’s first aircraft disassembly companies, Air Salvage International is one of the founding members of the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA). In addition to more conventional disassembly and recycling practices, the company takes a unique approach to aircraft recycling, selling airframes to unconventional buyers like theme parks, flight attendant schools and film companies.