News Flash
Air Serbia has retired its second of ten Airbus A319 aircraft. The jet, registered YU-APD, departed Belgrade last week for Teesside where it will be stripped for parts and scrapped. The aircraft is 21 years old. Air Serbia initiated a gradual, phased retirement of its A319 fleet last year with the withdrawal of its first aircraft of the type. The flag carrier plans to completely phase out the A319s over a three to five-year period, replacing them with larger A320s and more Embraer E195 jets. The airline is due to take delivery of two A320s shortly.
Air Serbia has retired its second of ten Airbus A319 aircraft. The jet, registered YU-APD, departed Belgrade last week for Teesside where it will be stripped for parts and scrapped. The aircraft is 21 years old. Air Serbia initiated a gradual, phased retirement of its A319 fleet last year with the withdrawal of its first aircraft of the type. The flag carrier plans to completely phase out the A319s over a three to five-year period, replacing them with larger A320s and more Embraer E195 jets. The airline is due to take delivery of two A320s shortly.
21 years old seems young to retire an aircraft. What's going on here?
ReplyDeleteOwner can get more money from spare parts which are scarce.
DeleteAt that age, depending on number of cycles, aircraft has to go to D-check which costs couple million euros. Airlines often return aircraft at that point since it makes no sense for them to pay such price.
DeleteI figured the average age for retirement would be around 30. How many more years would a D check give this bird?
DeleteAnother question, how common is the use of used parts for airlines?
DeleteUsually D-check is done every 10-12 years, again depending on number of cycles. If aircraft is 22 years old and OWNED, then investing into D-check makes sense since you can fly that aircraft for 10 more years. If it's leased, then it doesn't make much sense investing millions.
DeleteUsing spare parts if common, especially for aircraft same age.
Thanks for the explanation.
DeleteBut who would pay for the D check, the lessee, or the lessee vs lessor?
Typically the lessor, in this case JU
DeleteD-check is usually paid by the airline. Therefore most airlines return aircraft before D-check is due. Then the leasing company can decide D-check vs scrapping.
Delete24 years is in majority of cases end of a life for both 737 or 320. But if aircraft is owned by airline (cheap) and MRO says heavy C check makes economic sense then aircraft gets another 8 years at least. US 3 do that including Lufthansa, Jet2 due to seasonality but industry practice is 24
DeleteSeems like a short lifespan for aeroplanes, considering they are so meticulously maintained over the years.
Delete