Developing pathways for sustainable disassembly

Aerfin’s James Bennett in Avi Trader MRO Aerospace Magazine – January 2023

The aviation business is one of the most dared industries to achieve stringent sustainability targets. Airlines, airports and aircraft OEMs have led the charge in applying initiatives aimed at achieving net zero operations and transitioning to greener practices. The aircraft aftermarket and end-of-life segments are also getting more assertive in pushing efforts to achieve similar goals.

At end-of-life specialists AerFin, they are taking sustainability very seriously. “When it comes to an airline’s decision to retire an aircraft, AerFin’s objective as a business is to help them maximise the residual value of those assets and to do so in a sustainable manner” declares James Bennett, SVP Sales. Bennett says by recycling aircraft and engines on a global scale AerFin can offer used serviceable material that then reduces the requirement for the manufacture of new parts, which in turn helps to eradicate waste.

Bennett stresses the importance of giving airlines the flexibility to recall components from the airframe, thus helping operators avoid additional investments in purchasing new components, and encouraging them towards circularity by reusing their own material. “Also, by integrating recycled components into their fleet maintenance strategy, airlines mitigate lengthy lead times, avoid price fluctuations, and reduce their global footprint associated with the movement of the goods”, Bennett adds. Moreover, AerFin are building a pool of serviceable inventory to support existing and new customers who are looking for cost-efficient and sustainable solutions for their fleet. The company has an established link with AFRA (Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association) with a vision for making aviation more sustainable.