Story ID: 310814mx
KLM UK Engineering Opens Aircraft Dismantling Operation
By: David A. Lombardo
Caption: 
Word Count: 157
Norwich-based KLM UK Engineering has opened a facility dedicated to dismantling and recycling aircraft. The center is one of only a few in Europe.

The MRO is already licensed to service aircraft from the day they enter service, and this new dismantling operation positions the MRO to offer “cradle-to-grave” service over an aircraft’s potential life of 20 years or 18 million air miles.

The company works mostly with Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s and BAe 146/Avro RJs.

Sales director Dave Spalding noted, “We have customers queuing up and we already have four aircraft on site for disposal.” He estimates that the center will handle 12 aircraft in its first year of operation, with the figure doubling to 24 by the second year. He added, “Globally the aviation industry has 12,000 aircraft that will need to be scrapped in the next 20 years, so we see huge potential for our new dismantling and recycling facility.”