North American Aerospace Industries Corporation (NAAI)’s Managing Principal/General Manager, Sven Daniel Koechler, PhD, believes the aviation industry can do more to promote sustainability. The top executive of this end-to-end aircraft recycling solutions provider stated:
“We are about to break ground on our planned aircraft recycling facilities in the GlobalTrans Park in Kinston, North Carolina. Although, we are looking to build a profitable business, it is equally important that, in doing so, we apply sustainable practices to protect our environment. We believe all sectors of the aviation industry, from recyclers, MROs and FBOs to the airlines and leasing companies, should be striving to promote sustainability.”
The three-part hangar system comprises: a 357,000 ft² dismantling shop, a 151,800 ft² MRO facility and a 102,000 ft² paint shop for both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft.
In addition, there is an 80,800 ft² space designated for storage and offices. Proprietary processes will be applied that will enable multiple aircraft to be processed simultaneously. The goal will be to recycle as much of an aircraft as possible to reflect a zero waste philosophy.
Koechler continued stating, “Sustainable aviation could not be timelier as the pandemic has increased the number of decommissioned aircraft substantially and aircraft bone yards were already very full. An estimated 600 aircraft are retired in the U.S. each year. This number is probably 15% higher this year due to the pandemic.”
