By Jennifer Chang    Photo：Brett Sayles 

Airplanes have an important place in most people's minds because they carry the responsibility of delivering our crew, passengers and freight safely to every corner of the world. When an aircraft is retired, it is ensured that it is properly reused and not scrapped. The aircraft has three lifespans: calendar life, flight hours, and landing times. When any lifespan expires, the aircraft is considered to have reached its end of life. If the calendar life is reached but the flight hours and number of takeoffs and landings are far from being reached, the aircraft can be extended. Taking the B737 as an example, the calendar life is 25 years, the flight hours are 60,000, and the number of take-offs and landings is 60,000. Calendar life takes into account structural corrosion, and flight hours and landings take into account structural fatigue strength.

When the aircraft has reached the design life, it does not mean that the aircraft must be scrapped. At this time, the manufacturer will provide a life extension/modification plan based on safe guidelines so that the aircraft can continue to be used. However, even if the refit and life extension are completed, the economy of the aircraft has been greatly affected. Therefore, for most airlines, it is more cost-effective to deal with the aircraft to Africa or convert it into a freighter at this time. In fact, due to the increasing emphasis on fuel economy by airlines, the economy of an aircraft is completely uneconomical after 18-20 years of operation. The final destination of the obsolete aircraft is the aircraft demolition yard. Aircraft replacement rates have risen rapidly in recent years, with many commercial jets retired prematurely, as aviation safety and noise regulations change and aircraft manufacturers expand production. Currently, between 400 and 600 commercial aircraft are dismantled each year worldwide. This generates a lot of waste. About 30,000 tons of aluminum, 1,800 tons of alloys, 1,000 tons of carbon fiber and 600 tons of other parts are removed from old aircraft every year. As many as 18,000 fleet aircraft could be retired over the next 13 years, according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Engines, auxiliary power systems, landing gear and other moving parts of old aircraft can be recycled. The main raw material of aircraft is aluminum, which is extremely durable and recyclable. Aluminum metal can be sold to other industries after being melted, reducing the energy consumption required to produce new metal. Up to 90% of the components of old aircraft can be recovered, reused and repaired. Engines, auxiliary power systems, landing gear and other moving parts of old aircraft can be recycled. The main raw material of aircraft is aluminum, which is extremely durable and recyclable. Aluminum metal can be sold to other industries after being melted, reducing the energy consumption required to produce new metal. As the quality of aircraft improves, so does the degree to which aircraft can be recycled. The retirement of the aircraft is not a farewell, but a new reunion!

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