Salvage & Recycling

Aircraft salvage and recycling companies

When an aircraft reaches the end of its service life, salvage and recycling companies take it apart. Engines, landing gear, avionics and other parts with remaining life are removed, inspected and returned to the market with their records, and the remaining airframe is broken down so aluminium and other materials can be recycled. Many of these sites also provide aircraft parking and storage. Airlines, lessors and owners use them to recover value from retired aircraft or damaged airframes.

When choosing a partner, check its approvals and certifications, how it documents traceability for parts it resells, its environmental handling of fluids and composites, and whether it can take your aircraft type. Membership of an industry group such as AFRA, the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association, is one sign of good practice in dismantling.

Companies here are based across France, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Lithuania and China, among others.

• Aviaco France, Marignane-based EASA Part 145 helicopter dismantling centre
• ecube, aircraft storage, disassembly and transition company with sites in the UK
• Air Salvage International, aircraft disassembly company at Cotswold Airport, Gloucestershire
• AELS Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions, purchases and disassembles Airbus and Boeing aircraft in Enschede, the Netherlands
• Hondo Aerospace, Texas aircraft storage, parts harvesting and disassembly
• Fillmore Aviation, Minnesota company providing aircraft teardown, disassembly and engine recycling
• Vallair, aviation group in Luxembourg and France covering MRO, mature aircraft and engines

Recovered parts usually end up with aircraft parts suppliers, and owners retiring an aircraft often compare scrap value with resale through aircraft sales brokers. For leased aircraft returning at end of term, see aircraft leasing companies.