Ontic, the OEM and MRO provider for civil and military aircraft, has launched a new teardown procurement initiative aimed at addressing one of the sector’s most persistent challenges: the availability of hard-to-source components for mature platforms. The programme reflects a forward-looking strategy focused on securing critical inventory before supply constraints impact operators.
The first aircraft to be processed under the initiative is a Boeing 747-400, formerly operated by Thai Airways. Through this teardown, Ontic is recovering a wide range of components for reintroduction into its MRO inventory. The investment, including the cost of returning parts to serviceable condition, is intended to improve access to essential 747 components while reducing the risk of costly aircraft-on-ground delays.
Each component entering the programme is subject to rigorous technical and regulatory evaluation. Full traceability is established from the point of removal, supported by certified documentation and verified operational histories, including detailed Time Since New and Cycles Since New data. Components then undergo controlled inspection and overhaul processes to ensure compliance with stringent airworthiness and reliability requirements. The result is a portfolio of fully certified, flight-ready parts backed by OEM-level quality assurance.
The 747-400 teardown has yielded a diverse range of complex assemblies, including actuators, valves, gearbox ball screw assemblies and brake lock mechanisms. This underscores the substantial recoverable value available when teardown activities are executed within a structured, quality-driven framework.
Strategically, teardown programmes form a key pillar of Ontic’s long-term support model, combining targeted asset investment with engineering expertise and strict quality governance. The approach is designed to sustain platform operability across extended lifecycles.
According to Aaron Smith, Director of AOG and Exchange at Ontic, the initiative demonstrates a deliberate shift towards pre-emptive supply chain management. By identifying assets early, securing inventory and completing the necessary engineering work in advance, Ontic aims to ensure operators have timely access to critical components, supported by the documentation and assurance expected from an OEM.
