Aircraft decommissioning and dismantling: A global airline view AiMeRe Workshop, Châteauroux, 2 July 2013 Thomas Rötger, IATA
Aging aircraft world fleet Steeply rising number of aircraft to be decommissioned X aircraft over x years old and still in service Average service time of an aircraft around 35 years Significant variability depending on business model Many IATA airlines sell aircraft well prior to decommissioning Specific target group of carriers with old aircraft (including numerous cargo airlines) financial capacity usually low 6000 aircraft >100 seats expected to be decommissioned in the next 20 years AiMeRe Workshop 2
Aircraft age distribution and storage statistics AIRCRAFT IN SERVICE - June 2013 Operator Region / Aircraft Age From 0 to 25 Years % More than 25 Years % More than 30 Years % TOTAL in service Africa 1124 76% 347 24% 193 13% 1471 Asia Pacific 6184 93% 455 7% 294 4% 6639 Europe 6225 90% 686 10% 441 6% 6911 Latin America and Caribbean 1639 79% 447 21% 274 13% 2086 Middle East 1101 92% 100 8% 59 5% 1201 North America 7169 87% 1047 13% 547 7% 8216 Grand Total 23442 88% 3082 12% 1808 7% 26524 AIRCRAFT IN STORAGE - June 2013 % of Operator Region / Aircraft Age From 0 to 25 Years More than 25 Years More than 30 Years TOTAL in storage stor+serv Africa 156 47% 175 53% 110 33% 331 18% Asia Pacific 355 63% 205 37% 145 26% 560 8% Europe 714 63% 412 37% 284 25% 1126 14% Latin America and Caribbean 171 55% 138 45% 72 23% 309 13% Middle East 97 71% 40 29% 17 12% 137 10% North America 820 63% 484 37% 287 22% 1304 14% Grand Total 2313 61% 1454 39% 915 24% 3767 12% AiMeRe Workshop 3
Aging aircraft world fleet Over 3000 aircraft in storage under controlled conditions (e.g. Mojave desert) or aircraft unable to fly parked in an uncontrolled way at the edge of airfields These aircraft are expected to be decommissioned in future, too. Unknown number of aircraft in uncontrolled storage Find out with help of airports / ICAO AiMeRe Workshop 4
Aircraft storage Duration Back into service? Maintenance Storage type Short-term Planned Minimum maintenance Controlled Medium-term Potentially Fluids drained Certification loss of some equipment Controlled Long-term Never e.g. failed D-check Controlled/ uncontrolled AiMeRe Workshop 5
Needs for decommissioning Storage Aircraft Decommissioning facility Controlled Flyable Fixed Immobilised Mobile only Uncontrolled Immobilised Mobile only AiMeRe Workshop 6
Aircraft end-of-life issues (1) Safety Re-use of parts/equipment that have lost certification (black market) Aircraft cut up in questionable safety conditions Environment Hazardous substances (e.g. hydraulic fluids, asbestos, depleted uranium ballast) Soil and water contamination Waste management regulations AiMeRe Workshop 7
Aircraft end-of-life issues (2) Operations Obstruction of airport areas Airport expansion inhibited Industry reputation Aircraft wrecks around airports welcoming arriving passengers Environmental risks becoming public AiMeRe Workshop 8
Economic aspects Airlines should be encouraged to do controlled decommissioning Avoid disincentivising costs (target group is financially weak) Optimised re-use / recycling should allow maximal benefit from components residual value Time Costs Assets Maintenance Waste Parking Forgone airport utilisation Residual value: - Metal - No equipment if lost certification minus Liabilities AiMeRe Workshop 9
Economic aspects Some airlines prefer keeping aircraft in their books as assets although no longer airworthy Appropriate depreciation rules needed Maybe irrational behaviour? Manufacturer s and owners end-of-life liability introduced in other sectors (shipping, automotive, household appliances) Future regulations for aviation? National / EU / ICAO? AiMeRe Workshop 10
Re-use and recycling Many pieces of equipment (engines, avionics, ) can be re-used Represents much higher value than metal structure) Rigorous safety control needed new identification systems (RFID) can help Avoid equipment losing certification Various metallic alloys, mainly Al Need to be separated by type Carbon-fibre composites (e.g. tailplanes) Recycling methods under development For the future: Increased use of recyclable materials in new aircraft Design for deconstruction AiMeRe Workshop 11
Way forward Demonstrate and quantify advantages for airlines using controlled decommissioning Best use of residual value Reduce safety, environment and reputation risks Raise awareness at airlines Appropriate cost and risk sharing Make mobile decommissioning services accessible all over the world Cooperate with airports, governments and ICAO Develop incentives for airlines Anticipate product end-of-life regulations similar to other sectors and develop solutions appropriate for aviation IATA is ready to support AiMeRe Workshop 12
Thank you! AiMeRe Workshop 13