Skyservice’s New Aircraft Teardown & Recycling Venture Demonstrates Commitment to Sustainable Solutions

(Mississauga, Ontario) Canada- and U.S.-based business aviation company Skyservice’s recently-announced (August 1) new venture – an Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) Disassembly-accredited Aircraft Teardown and Recycling division – highlights not only yet another new milestone for the expanding aviation company – which recently announced both its partnership with Fontainebleau Development Aviation and the completion of investments in Fontainebleau Aviation’s FBO at Opa-Locka Airport and development project at Fort Lauderdale Airport –  but an inherent commitment to sustainability solutions.

Photo of an in-process aircraft recycling effort at Skyservice’s Toronto Midfield FBO at Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA: YYZ, ICAO: CYYZ) courtesy of Skyservice.

Skyservice’s Aircraft Teardown and Recycling division will essentially provide an easily-accessible option for private and commercial aircraft owners whose planes have reached the end of their lives; rather than the owners needing to figure out how best to sell the aircraft parts piecemeal, Skyservice can handle both aircraft disassembly and the resale or recycling of parts.

Skyservice’s Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Murray explained that throughout the lifetime of an airplane, at some point, the sum of an aircraft’s parts will exceed the value of the aircraft if left intact.   In order to help its customers and aircraft owners analyze and make decisions about whether to recycle and tear down aircraft at a given point in time, Skyservice analyzes the cost of continued operations vs. the benefit of recycling, and quotes not only what each of the aircraft’s parts are worth in the open market but also how quickly they can be sold. 

“Skyservice has a lot of experience with these types of airplanes, and we can assist owners with airplanes that are at their ‘end of life’ –  there’s still value at the end of life of the airplanes,” Murray explained.  “The key to making these aircraft economical is figuring out what to do at that point.  The potential for an airplane’s parts to exceed the value of inspecting and continuing to operate the airplane is significant.”

According to Murray, a private jet’s lifetime stands at roughly at 15,000 hours versus a that of commercial aircraft. At a certain point, the costs to operate an aircraft become too high to warrant operations; recycling the aircraft would eliminate the fixed costs embedded into its operations, such as those related to the jet’s crew, calendar inspections, insurance, hangar and continued care and custody of the airplane – among other costs.

“With the shortage of the parts in the global supply chain, this is a really economical way of not only unburdening aircraft ownerships but getting return on investment by harvesting the core parts of the airplane,” Murray said.

Photo of an aircraft harvesting Skyservice’s Toronto Midfield FBO at Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA: YYZ, ICAO: CYYZ) courtesy of Skyservice.

Skyservice’s AFRA accreditation is based on its disassembly practices, specifically.  The AFRA Accreditation Program – which is based on the AFRA Best Management Practice for Management of Used Aircraft Parts and Assemblies and for Recycling of Aircraft Materials (BMP) Guide – is the only industry-developed standard for aircraft disassembly and materials recycling, according to AFRA’s website.  

AFRA estimates that in the next two decades, 15,000 aircraft will be retired.

“As the international aerospace community continues to focus on environmental issues and landfill regulations mount, asset owners are looking for efficient, revenue-building and environmentally-sound methods for aircraft disposal,” reads AFRA’s website. “From parts distribution, to dismantling, through materials recycling, aerospace leaders are developing new strategies for management of end-of-life aircraft.”

Murray explained that while aircraft life cycles vary among manufacturers and owner- and aircraft-specific circumstances, it may be wise, in general, for owners to begin thinking about end-of-life solutions once their aircraft reach the ~ 15,000-hour mark.

With respect to sustainability, Murray emphasized the importance of Skyservice maintaining an environmentally-conscious, recycling-focused disassembly process.  In addition to Skyservice’s offerings of carbon offset and SAF book-and-claim programs, aircraft teardown and recycling marks a significant step in the right direction in terms of sustainability and green solutions, he explained.

Some specifics about Skyservice’s Teardown and Recycling program, per AFRA requirements, are as follows:

• All liquid material and hazardous substances are drained and disposed of through proper disposal methods.
• Aircraft parts recovered are safe for future use in aviation industry to help with supply chain issues (circular economy).
• Unserviceable parts and components are disposed of in a responsible manner.
• Separation of metals, composites, etc are grouped, sorted and sent through recycling companies. 
• Airframes and components are disposed of in accordance with local environmental best practices.

Skyservice’s Teardown and Recycling division is run by Paul Weeks, Skyservice’s president of maintenance.  Customers can see information and request a quote at the following link, or reach out directly at 1.888.759.7591.