CAGR: 6.3%Current Market Size: USD 5.1 BillionFastest Growing Region: APAC
Largest Market: North AmericaProjection Time: 2025-2033Base Year: 2024
The Global Aircraft Recycling Market is expected to grow from USD 5.1 Billion in 2024 to USD 11.7 Billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 9% during the projection period 2025-2033 due to the growing volume of aircraft retirements, the growing need to ensure sustainable aviation, and the more stringent global policies related to waste disposal and carbon emissions. Increasing pressure is put on airlines and leasing companies to optimize fleet lifecycle and go even greener in disposal.
Technologies that are already being developed in the market include robotic dismantling, AI-enabled parts tracking, automated material segregation, and recycling models based on the circular economy. Profitability is being redefined through recovery of high-value components like engines, landing gear and avionics, and recycling of aluminum, titanium, and composites. The use of, and investment in, certified, non-green aides such as spare parts are more tractable for industry sponsors when dismantling is conducted at ‘green’ dismantling centers or when industry sponsors work with certified yards, and when recycling is no longer considered propitious.
Request Sample: - Global Aircraft Recycling Market
Rising Aircraft Retirements and Sustainability Goals
Global fleet expenditures will continue to shift paradigm in the next decade. Several thousand planes will be physically 'decelerated'. Airlines and leasing companies are pressured to maximize asset value and hit sustainability goals. A win-win is unclaimed precious 'spare' parts that can be processed to resell and save precious landfill space. Increasing emphasis on circular economy and lowering recycling carbon footprints are critical motivators behind the innovation in aircraft recycling.
High installation and operational costs
The set-up of aircraft recycling facilities is costly. Each facility needs sophisticated disassembly systems, sophisticated Equipment Recovery and Material Recovery compliant systems, and certification. Further, different regulatory environments in different countries-including hazardous waste, safety standards and recertification of spare parts-add operational complexity for recyclers. These factors reduce the ability of smaller players to break into the market and have generally been a barrier to widespread adoption of sustainable recycling practices in the global aviation industry.
Rising Aftermarket Demand for Recycled Parts
There is a significant and expanding aftermarket for used serviceable materials (USM), which includes engines, landing gear, and avionics, as airlines pursue affordable maintenance solutions. With the growth of global air traffic, there is a growing demand for spare parts at a low cost, especially in emerging markets. This provides a profitable opportunity for recyclers to expand certified reuse programs, build strong OEM partnerships and help contribute to the circular supply chain of aviation.
Recycling Advanced Materials and Composites
Modern aircraft are increasingly being made of carbon-fiber composites and advanced alloys that are difficult and expensive to recycle compared to conventional aluminum. These have been poorly recovered for recycling in current processes without losing the structural properties. Scalable, environmentally sustainable solutions for composite recycling are still a challenge and will continue to need investment in R&D and cooperation between recyclers, materials scientists and aerospace manufacturers.
The Global Aircraft Recycling Market has been segmented based on Component, Process, Aircraft Type, End user, and regions.
The Aircraft Type of components includes Engines, Landing Gear, Avionics, Fuselage, and Others. In 2024, Engines segment topped the Aircraft Recycling Market by holding the largest share of around 42.5%. Engines are common because they command a high residual value and they are in high demand in the aftermarket. Refurbished engines are often re-sold to airlines, leasing firms and MROs that have offered the cost-saving option without affecting operational safety. Their rarity and value make them the most lucrative and desirable product in the worldwide aviation metal recycling business.
The Aircraft Type of processes includes Parts Resale, Material Recycling, and Component Repair. In 2024, Parts Resale segment dominated the Aircraft Recycling Market with a share of approximately 48.0%. The reason behind parts resale is that dismantled aircraft components like engines, avionics, landing gears, etc can be refurbished and put back into service yielding greater returns than the sale of scrap materials. Since certified reused parts lower maintenance expenses and downtime and guarantee compliance, resale is a central source of revenue to airlines and the MROs.
The Aircraft Type segments include Narrow-Body, Wide-Body, and Regional Aircraft. In 2024, Narrow-Body Aircraft segment topped the Aircraft Recycling Market by holding nearly 55.0% share. The narrow-body aircraft is the most prevailing aircraft because of high rate of retirement, particularly in light of airlines upgrading fleet to fuel efficiency. Widely used and recycled models such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families pose a high demand on spare parts. Their dominance in short- and medium-haul flights makes their recycling an easy and lucrative market.
The End user segment includes Commercial Airlines, Leasing Companies, and MRO Service Providers. In 2024, Commercial Airlines segment led the Aircraft Recycling Market with about 50.5% share. Airlines command the situation as they are the main owners and operators of the aging fleets and are always upgrading them to newer aircrafts that are efficient and sustainable. Recycling assists airlines to get the maximum value out of old aircrafts by reselling and reusing the parts. Also, regulatory compliance, environmental commitments promote airlines to engage in recycling process, and thus, they are the most powerful end-user groups.
Global Aircraft Recycling Market - By Regional Analysis:
The regions analyzed for the Aircraft Recycling Market include North America, Europe, APAC, LATAM & MEA. The North America region dominated the Aircraft Recycling market and held a 42.0 % share of the market revenue in 2024.
North America is the largest region in the Aircraft Recycling market; and the region is expected to grow further in the forecast period due to stringent aviation safety and environmental regulations by agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The region benefits from well-established recycling and dismantling infrastructure, the presence of leading MROs and leasing companies and an early adoption of sustainable aviation practices. The US and Canadian fleets are the largest concentration of older commercial aircraft in the world, and North America leads the world in aircraft recycling because of investments in technical and commercial infrastructure for aircraft disposition, parts reuse and recycling, and end-of-life disposal.
The Asia-Pacific market is considered as the fastest growing region owing to high growth rate of air traffic, growth of commercial airlines, and mass-extinction of fleet in countries such as China, India and Japan. In addition, the emergence of MRO in the domestic market and the government's incentives to encourage circular economy practices are boosting the growth. With the replacement demand for narrow-body aircraft very high, coupled with the importance of sustainability and resource recovery, Asia-Pacific is one of the most appealing regions for future aircraft recycling investments.
Global Aircraft Recycling Market - Country Analysis:
US
In North America, the United States dominates the Aircraft Recycling Market, accounting for approximately 79.0% share in 2024. The U.S. leads the world because of its large stocks of retired aircraft, large demand for parts in the aftermarket, and sophisticated and well-developed aircraft scrapping facilities in states such as Arizona and New Mexico. The presence of major OEMs, leasing companies and certified recyclers ensure the highest level of engine, avionics and other critical component recovery. The claim he country’s dominance is further supported by the strict FAA metrication and the more ambitious sustainabilty targets set by U.S. airlines.
China
In 2024, China commands 43.5% of the Asia-Pacific Aircraft Recycling Market, placing her in the dominant position for the region. The rapid expansion of the country's fleet followed by the accelerated retirements of older aircraft is adding to the increasing demand for recycling and part-out services. Growth is also being driven by publicly funded initiatives, such as policies to provide greener growth of aviation and the development of recycling infrastructure. With a strong domestic manufacturing foundation, growing demand for certified second-hand parts, and increasing overseas airline cooperation, China has emerged as the Asia-Pacific region's largest aviation recycling center.
Key Industry Players Analysis:
To increase their market position in the Global Aircraft Recycling Market, top companies are focusing on tactics such as adopting new technologies, mergers & acquisitions, Component developments, collaborations, partnerships, joint ventures, etc.
AerSale Inc.
Aircraft Solutions USA
China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC)
GA Telesis LLC
TARMAC
ComAv Technical Services
Air Salvage International Ltd. (ASI)
AFI KLM E&M
Magellan Aviation Group.
Latest Development:
In August 2024, Skyservice Business Aviation introduced a dedicated aircraft recycling division, earning accreditation from the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) for adhering to best practices in aircraft disassembly. This initiative highlights Skyservice’s commitment to sustainable aviation while reinforcing its position as a leader in environmentally responsible aircraft recycling.
Report Metrics
Report Metric | Information |
Study Period | 2019-2033 |
Base Year | 2024 |
CAGR (%) | 6.3% |
Market Size | 5.1 Billion in 2024 |
Projection Period | 2025-2033 |
Market Share Unit | USD Million |
Segments Covered | Component, Process, Aircraft Type, End use, & Region |
Report Scope | Revenue Projection, Competitive landscape, Company ranking, Growth Factors and Trends. |
Companies Covered | Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions (AELS), AerSale Inc., Aircraft Solutions USA, China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC), GA Telesis LLC, TARMAC, ComAv Technical Services, Air Salvage International Ltd. (ASI), AFI KLM E&M, and Magellan Aviation Group. |
By Component |
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By Process |
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By Aircraft Type |
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By End Use |
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Regional Scope |
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Scope of the Report
Global Aircraft Recycling Market by Component Type:
Global Aircraft Recycling Market by Process:
Global Aircraft Recycling Market by Aircraft Type:
Narrow-Body
Wide-Body
Regional Jets
Military Aircraft
Global Aircraft Recycling Market by End User:
Leasing Companies
MROs
Global Aircraft Recycling Market by Region:
North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
France
U.K.
Russia
Italy
Spain
Netherlands
Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific
China
Japan
India
New Zealand
Australia
South Korea
Taiwan
Rest of Asia Pacific
The Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Egypt
Kuwait
South Africa
Rest of the Middle East & Africa
Latin America
Brazil
Argentina
Rest of Latin America
The Aircraft Recycling market is increasingly driven by sustainable dismantling practices, circular economy initiatives, and automated recovery technologies. Trends include rising demand for aluminum and composite material recovery, digital tracking of parts, green certifications, and OEM partnerships with recyclers, ensuring higher efficiency, compliance, and revenue from end-of-life aircraft.
Key drivers include rising health consciousness, demand for natural sweeteners, experiential hobbies, and personalized flavor preferences. Technological innovations, such as automated and smart systems, simplify processes, making Aircraft Recycling accessible for beginners while supporting advanced users’ experimentation and culinary creativity.
Leading players include AAR Corp, Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions (AELS), AerCap Holdings, Vallair, APOC Aviation, Air Salvage International, China Aircraft Leasing Group, GA Telesis LLC, Tarmac Aerosave, and Universal Asset Management. These companies dominate with advanced recycling facilities, material recovery technologies, global presence, and partnerships with airlines and OEMs.
The global Aircraft Recycling market is expected to reach USD 11.7 billion from 2025 to 2033.
List of Table
Global Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Engines, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Landing Gear, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Avionics, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Fuselage, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Others, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Dismantling & Disassembly, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Material Recovery, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Parts Resale, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Waste Management, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Narrow-Body, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Wide-Body, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Regional Jets, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Military Aircraft, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Commercial Airlines, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Leasing Companies, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global MROs, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Global Defense Organizations, Aircraft Recycling Market, By Region, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
North America Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
North America Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
North America Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
North America Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
U.S. Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
U.S. Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
U.S. Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
U.S. Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Canada Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Canada Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Canada Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Canada Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Mexico Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Mexico Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Mexico Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Mexico Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Europe Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Europe Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Europe Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Europe Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Germany Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Germany Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Germany Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Germany Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
France Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
France Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
France Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
France Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
U.K. Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
U.K. Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
U.K. Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
U.K. Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Italy Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Italy Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Italy Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Italy Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Spain Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Spain Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Spain Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Spain Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Asia Pacific Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Asia Pacific Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Asia Pacific Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Asia Pacific Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Japan Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Japan Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Japan Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Japan Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
China Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
China Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
China Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
China Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
India Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
India Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
India Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
India Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
South America Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
South America Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
South America Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
South America Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Brazil Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Brazil Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Brazil Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Brazil Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Middle East and Africa Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Middle East and Africa Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Middle East and Africa Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
Middle East and Africa Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
UAE Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
UAE Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
UAE Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
UAE Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
South Africa Aircraft Recycling Market, By Component, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
South Africa Aircraft Recycling Market, By Process, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
South Africa Aircraft Recycling Market, By Aircraft Type, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
South Africa Aircraft Recycling Market, By End User, 2025-2033 (USD Billion)
List of Figures
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Segmentation
Global Aircraft Recycling Market: Research Methodology
Market Size Estimation Methodology: Bottom-Up Approach
Market Size Estimation Methodology: Top-Down Approach
Data Triangulation
Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
Value Chain Analysis
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Attractiveness Analysis By Component
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Attractiveness Analysis By Process
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Attractiveness Analysis By Aircraft Type
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Attractiveness Analysis By End User
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Attractiveness Analysis By Region
Global Aircraft Recycling Market: Dynamics
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Share By Component (2025 & 2033)
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Share By Process (2025 & 2033)
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Share By Aircraft Type (2025 & 2033)
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Share By End User (2025 & 2033)
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Share By Regions (2025 & 2033)
Global Aircraft Recycling Market Share By Company (2025)