Here is the process for handling old aircraft that have reached the end of their service life from airlines.
Old aircraft will be sent to storage facilities. (Photo: Getty Images).
Most modern aircraft have a lifespan of at least 30 years. So, what happens to them afterward? Aircraft that have reached the end of their service life are sent to storage facilities, also known as aircraft graveyards. Former pilot Daniel Bubb, a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, states: “Once an aircraft reaches the graveyard, it will be stored and properly maintained, or dismantled for parts. As the aviation industry continues to grow, airlines will retire some older aircraft and transfer them to storage areas. Other airlines may purchase these older planes because they are available at a lower cost.”
If the aircraft is too old, it is often dismantled for usable parts. “When a retired aircraft is taken to a dismantling facility, all fluids such as fuel and lubricants are drained from its components. After that, all usable parts, from engines to components, are removed for resale. The leftover metals and plastics from the dismantled aircraft are recycled in various ways. By the end of the process, there is almost nothing left of the aircraft,” says aviation historian Shea Oakley.
Storage facilities for aircraft can be found around the world – in arid locations such as deserts. “If the dismantling process is delayed or the aircraft needs to be stored for an extended period, the dry air in the desert acts as a natural preservative, especially for metals. Aircraft stored in the desert do not require regular maintenance to be able to return to service,” according to Oakley.
Daniel Bubb further explains why aircraft storage facilities are located in deserts: “Deserts have less rain, snow, and other harsh weather conditions that can cause aircraft to rust.” For example, the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (309 AMARG), which operates the largest aircraft boneyard in the world, is located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona – primarily desert terrain. This facility can accommodate over 4,000 aircraft of various types on 43 square miles of land. Although this aircraft graveyard does not allow public tours, many people can still see numerous aircraft wrecks in the area from outside the fence.
The second and third largest aircraft graveyards in the world are located at Mojave Air and Space Port (MHV) and Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA) in California.
