Since 2008 the aviation industry have been following the sector-wide climate action framework. The framework is based on a set of three global goals: short, medium and long-term.

Short goal: 1.5% average annual fuel efficiency improvement from 2009 to 2020

Medium goal: Stabilize net aviation CO2 emissions at 2020 levels through carbon-neutral growth.

Long-term goal: Halving net CO2 emissions by 2050 compared to what they were in 2005.

(Reference: https://aviationbenefits.org/)

The industry’s climate action framework is designed to help find the balance between the two goals – economic growth through connectivity, and reduction of climate impact. Trade and tourism are important drivers of global economic development. Overall emissions from aviation have risen, as the volume of air traffic has increased. Most growth has occurred in emerging economies, as they begin to reap the benefits of air travel.

Nevertheless, the aviation industry has made significant progress in fuel and CO2 efficiency, halving the amount of fuel used per flight compared to 1990. In other words, your flight today would generate just 50% the CO2 compared to the same flight back in 1990. This has been achieved through technological advancement and improvements in operations and infrastructure.

Innovation

Each new generation of aircraft is roughly 15% to 20% more fuel efficient, and manufacturers invest around $15 billion per year in research intro greater efficiency. In the future, we may even be able to fly on electric or hybrid aircraft on short-haul flights.

Sustainable aviation fuels

Sustainable aviation fuels have great potential for securing the sustainable growth of air travel as they could reduce CO2 emissions by around 80% compared with fossil fuels, without the need to radically change the fuel supply systems or engines of aircraft.

Operational improvements

Aviation industry is making the current fleet lighter and more efficient and using new air traffic control techniques to save emissions.

Infrastructure efficiencies

Shortening flying times by a minute saves at least 100kg of CO2 per flight. Reformed air traffic management systems in the United States, Asia and Europe will cut emissions significantly.

Market-based measures

Economic measures are a part of the strategy to support economic measures to help limit aviation’s climate change impact.

Air transport generated 895 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) in 2018. This may sound like a lot, but it is only around 2% of the 42 billion tons of CO2 generated by human activities every year. Despite increasing passenger numbers each year, aviation has managed to limit its emissions growth. This is through massive investment in new technology and coordinated action to implement new operating procedures and infrastructural measures.

As COVID-19 swept through the aviation industry in 2020 and onwards into 2021, searching for cheaper but reliable aircraft parts became the ‘new normal’ for both airlines and dedicated MRO providers seeking effective aviation solutions. In 2019 used serviceable materials (USM) constituted only US$4.7 billion of the overall market, in 2022 that figure is expected to reach upwards of US$7.9, representing about 13% of the US$60 billion aircraft parts market.

With more than 2,500 aircraft retired in 2020 alone and the aircraft parts market expected to sustain growth until at least 2028, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) production and USM will play a key role in the ‘new normal’ for the industry. While the products sold are the same, parts and USM will benefit different groups of MROs and airlines. 

To stay competitive MROs will have the option to choose from multiple suppliers in order to establish a steady and reliable USM supply chain, avoiding OEM products, and thus saving on costs and offering a more competitive price for the customer.

For OEMs, the current period may not be the most lucrative of times, but what comes next will make rather than break the new parts manufacturer’s business. As countries have already witnessed positive results from vaccination campaign roll-outs, the renewed rise in air travel is inevitable. As a result, thousands of airframes will be subject to maintenance programs and will ultimately create demand for replacement parts, which USM possibly will not be able to support, thus, requiring OEMs – manufacturing aircraft parts –  to supply MROs with their production.

While the news may sound welcoming for MROs and airlines, along with their respective maintenance arms, without efficient aircraft parts identification, listing, and marketplace solutions, the blessing may well be short-lived. One solution to maximize the efficiency of aircraft parts procurement is the use of the digital marketplace. Aircraft parts marketplaces, like Locatory.com, are already known to employ cutting edge solutions like Artificial Intelligence to optimize the listing and order processes. Subsequently, the infrastructure to support MROs and airlines is already in place, the only remaining question is how to find reliable partners when creating future supply chains?

Jevgenijus Petronis, the Head of Product of Locatory.com, the leading online aircraft parts marketplace, explains: “Digital marketplaces allow customers to save significant amounts of time and money while simultaneously gaining valuable economic and logistical data that can be used to maximize efficiency. They directly connect buyers and sellers and by adopting new technology like blockchain, the already established part procurement industry is being reinvented in a decentralized manner, taking out the middlemen and connecting buyers and sellers directly to each other, thus maximizing operational efficiency.”

The airplane recycling process begins with non-destructive dismantling activity. First, some easily removable items such as passenger seats, engines, and other components are taken—eventually, just the shell remains. At that point, a massive excavator demolishes the vast shell of the airplane. Once different parts of the shell are broken down into small pieces, they are transported for the next phase of the recycling.

Some airplane parts can be recovered or refurbished for reuse in new aircraft. Utilizing old aircraft parts such as galley carts, trays, and overhead bins in the fitting of new planes can help aircraft producers control costs. In fact, aircraft are increasingly being retired earlier in life to harvest parts, which can generate more revenue than being sold intact.

While past year has been tough on aviation in every possible aspect, the reduction of the global fleet has arouse a development of a new and interesting industry. Aviation geeks around the world have been trying to own their own little piece of aviation history, collecting everything from scraps to larger and more unusual pieces from aircrafts.

2021 sees the global fleet with far fewer members, since 2020 has seen the tragic demise of numerous iconic aircraft, from the Boeing 747 to the Airbus A340. Not everyone letting these aircraft go quietly! There are those, who want a little piece to remember them by and some a rather large pieces!

Most in-demand item, apparently are the window cuts. These have proven to be popular for turning into clocks, mirrors and other attractive items, Some even create new pieces to sell on to other enthusiasts.

For many aviation geeks, securing a part of a dismantled aircraft can be challenging. Some top tips for anyone looking to get a hold of unique piece: keep an eye on what’s being scrapped and where. Knowing what is headed for dismantling and which company will be handling the process can put you a step ahead of the competition.

However, be realistic about what you can actually handle, some of these parts are much bigger than people expect, and some components can be dangerous or toxic. It’s important to know what you’re doing and to understand what you’re taking on.