Page 24 - World Airnews September 2020 Edition
P. 24

FEATURE


                                  WHY AIRLINES ARE PARKING


                                  AND RETIRING PLANES EARLY






              here has been plenty of news in
        Trecent months of airlines reti ring
        aircraft early as the industry comes to a

        standstill. Many retired planes are being


        sent to aviation graveyards, otherwise

        known as bone yards.
         Here, they live out the rest of their
        days being picked apart as parts are tak-
        en and used elsewhere. However, some
        retired aircraft are not destined for scrap
        just yet.
        WHY DO AIRLINES RETIRE PLANES?
        As time and technology move on,

        manufacturers such as Boeing and Airbus,
        and suppliers such as Rolls-Royce and
        Pratt & Whitney, find new ways to make


        aircraft more economical. This means

        more modern aircraft not only do less




        damage to the environment, but they   taken off flying status can spend months   pandemic has catalyzed their retirements.
        are also cheaper to run. The new Airbus   being restored and repaired.  From passengers to pilots, Boeing 747 is
        A321neos use 15% less fuel compared   Airlines may also choose to temporarily   a favourite across the industry; however,
        to standard jets. With fuel costs rising,   store aircraft due to economic conditions   the Queen of the Skies is one of the largest

        airlines are looking to cut fuel costs as   such as rising fuel costs. If an airline   casualties this year.

        much as possible.                  is changing its network, consolidating   Qantas notably retired the last of its 747
         Additionally, like any machine, planes   with another airline or downsizing, it   units last month. The jumbo has been sent

        are subject to wear and tear. As planes get   may choose to ground some jets. These   to the Mojave Desert in California with sev-
        older, they naturally become less efficient.   jets may be retired permanently and be   eral of its siblings and 12 of Qantas’ A380s



        Just as we get older, we tend to slow down   snapped up by another airline or may   that are in hibernation there.
        and occasionally even need a few parts   only be stored temporarily until condi-  British Airways emotionally confirmed
        replaced, so do airplanes. Maintaining air-  tions improve.            that it is also retiring the jumbo early
        worthiness, therefore, becomes increasing-  There is also a strong second-hand   due to the implications surrounding
        ly expensive.                      market for aircraft. Leasing companies   COVID-19. Many redundant 747s from
         Not only do the newer planes have a   often take retired planes and refurbish   across the globe are being sent to Cots-

        direct cost-benefit, but they also have a   them before leasing them to airlines who   wold Airport in the Gloucestershire. The
        more subtle benefit. Newer planes are   cannot afford, or do not want, to buy   small British field has a storage park for

        equipped with the latest in passenger   their own. One of the most well known   aircraft that are don’t have a role in the
        comforts. From mood lighting to minimize   is Hi Fly, which recently gave a new lease   current climate.


        jetlag to better entertainment systems,   of life to Airbus A380 formerly flown by   Altogether, travel restrictions, border

        sleeker designs, and comfier seats, mod-  Singapore Airlines.          closures, and passenger concerns have


        ern jets offer passengers a better expe-                               caused an unprecedented downturn in

        rience. Generally, passengers are more   TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE       passenger numbers across the globe. Even
        likely to travel on an airline with newer   DOWNTURN                   though some services are picking up slowly,


        planes than older ones.            There is no industry standard of when a   it could take three to five years for activity
                                                                               to return to 2019 levels.

        WHY NOT SCRAP THEM ALL?            plane should retire permanently or what   Planes such as the 747 and the A380 were
                                           should happen to it. Various factors can
        Once an airline has decided to remove   affect an aircraft retirement age, including   already under review due to more efficient,








        aircraft from its fleet, the aircraft are   the number of flight hours and pressuriza-  modern types being available. However,




        generally sent to bone yards. Sometimes, a   tion cycles.              with long-haul opportunities limited amid

        plane goes to a bone yard for maintenance   The recent downturn has meant that   the current situation, these models are

        or an overhaul. Bone yards often have   many aircraft have retired early. Rather   now required even less.



        maintenance hangars attached for this   than pay to store aircraft at airports, air-  Therefore, until there are regular,


        purpose. These hangars are also used to   lines have been using this time to refurbish   diverse operations occurring across the


        remove parts for scrap.            their aircraft and renew their fleet.  nations again, many planes will be taking




         However, if a plane is being retired                                  well-deserved sabbaticals and retirements


        completely, it doesn’t mean it will stay in   A NECESSARY MEASURE      in the sun. Q

        the bone yard forever. Sometimes, retired   The global health crisis has rocked the




        aircraft are overhauled and then snapped   aviation market from top to bottom. Even   Article courtesy of

        up by other airlines that don’t have the   if carriers were planning to eventually let   https://simpleflying.com/aircraft-




        cash to buy new jets. Aircraft temporarily   go of some members of their fleet, the   retirement-parking-vs-scrap/


                                                 World Airnews | September 2020
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