Aircraft Recycling Market: By Aircraft (Narrow-body, Wide-body, and Regional Jet), By Product Component (Engines, Landing Gear, and Avionics), By Material (Aluminum, Titanium, and Alloys), and Geography

Aircraft Recycling Market size was valued at USD 6.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at 5.6% CAGR over the forecast years to reach USD 9.1 billion by 2030. The aircraft recycling market refers to the industry involved in dismantling, disassembling, and recycling aircraft that have reached the end of their operational lives. The first step of aircraft recycling mainly involves dismantling aircraft components, followed by the sorting out of all the materials like aluminium, copper, alloy, etc. from the aircraft. The sorted components and materials are then treated and cleaned to avoid rusting and damage to the critical components of the aircraft.

The increasing quantity of retired and aging aircraft is propelling the global aircraft recycling market forward. Projections from the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association indicate that over 12,000 aircraft could undergo recycling shortly. Furthermore, heightened awareness among airlines about aircraft recycling is boosting market expansion. In countries like India, China, and Japan, where the aviation industry is rapidly growing, there is a growing preference for recycled aircraft parts due to their cost-effectiveness and reduced environmental footprint. Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) providers are making substantial investments in aircraft recycling to cater to the rising demand for aircraft components. However, constraints of the aircraft recycling market include complex regulatory requirements, high initial investment costs for facilities and technology, and fragmented market dynamics limiting scalability and innovation.

Aircraft Recycling Market Key Developments:

• In September 2023, EirTrade Aviation, a global aviation asset management and trading company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, invested in tools to provide comprehensive CFM56-3 aircraft engine dismantling capabilities. The company could provide this service with the CFM56-5A, -5B, -7B, and -7BE engines at its Dublin facilities.
• In April 2023, AELS purchased the first expired Boeing 777. The acquisition was made in partnership with MTU Maintenance Lease Services, Ehich purchased the GE90-115B engine. The aircraft made its final landing at Twente Airport in Enschede, Netherlands, and was disassembled by a professional AELS team at the AELS facility.