This article is based on an official statement from AerFin and analysis of industry data.

China’s Aviation Sector Pivots to Sustainable Teardown and Used Materials

China’s aviation industry is undergoing a significant structural transformation. Long characterized by rapid fleet expansion and new aircraft deliveries, the region is now entering a “pivotal decade” defined by maturing assets and a renewed focus on sustainability. According to Paul Ashcroft, Senior Vice President Asia-Pacific at AerFin, this shift is reshaping how airlines approach material use and end-of-life strategies.

As fleets age and operational pressures mount, the market for aircraft teardown and recycling in China is expanding rapidly. This trend is driven not only by environmental goals but by the urgent economic necessity of navigating a constrained global supply chain.

The “Mid-Life” Transition and Supply Chain Pressures

While China is often viewed as a market of young aircraft, the reality is changing. Major carriers are seeing their fleets progress toward mid-life, a phase that typically requires heavy maintenance and strategic decisions regarding asset retirement.

According to industry data, while the global commercial fleet average age reached approximately 14.8 years in late 2024, major Chinese carriers like Air China now operate fleets averaging over 9 years. This maturation coincides with what Ashcroft describes as “escalating maintenance costs” and “structural supply-chain constraints.”

In his statement, Ashcroft highlights the difficulties operators face in securing new inventory:

“New parts remain expensive and, in many cases, are difficult to secure. Geopolitical tensions and tariffs continue to influence material flows.”

Paul Ashcroft, SVP Asia-Pacific, AerFin

These constraints are corroborated by broader market analysis. Recent industry reports indicate that turnaround times (TAT) for new-generation engines have increased by up to 150% compared to pre-pandemic levels, creating a bottleneck that threatens operational stability. Consequently, Used Serviceable Material (USM) is transitioning from a cost-saving option to a strategic necessity.

The Strategic Role of USM

Airlines are increasingly utilizing USM to reduce downtime and manage operational risk. Ashcroft notes that confidence in this sector is rising, bolstered by strict controls from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), which ensures safety and traceability standards are met. By integrating high-quality used parts, operators can create more predictable maintenance pathways despite the volatility in the new parts market.

Sustainability and the 90% Recycling Ambition

Beyond economic pressures, the shift toward teardown and recycling is aligned with China’s national environmental goals. During a recent USM conference in Jinan, Ashcroft reported hearing a consistent ambition within the Chinese industry to reuse or recycle more than 90% of materials from retired aircraft.

This target aligns with benchmarks set by major industrial projects in the region, such as the Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre in Chengdu, which aims to recover 90% of aircraft weight, surpassing traditional industry averages. However, achieving this scale of recycling presents technical challenges.

The Challenge of Complex Materials

While the majority of an aircraft’s weight consists of highly recyclable metals, newer aircraft introduce materials that are harder to process. Ashcroft explains the distinction:

“The materials of a typical A320ceo aircraft consist of approximately 70% aluminium and 10% steel, by weight, and these are widely recyclable.”

Paul Ashcroft, SVP Asia-Pacific, AerFin

The remaining percentage, however, includes cabin interiors and carbon fiber composites. As fleets modernize and newer generation aircraft with higher composite compositions eventually retire, the industry will require deeper cooperation and new technologies to ensure these materials are responsibly recycled rather than sent to landfill.

AirPro News Analysis

Bridging the Gap with International Expertise

The maturation of China’s fleet represents a massive opportunity for aftermarket service providers. With Boeing’s 2024 Commercial Market Outlook forecasting that China’s commercial fleet will more than double by 2043, the volume of aircraft requiring end-of-life processing will surge.

However, the “trust infrastructure”—documentation, certification, and traceability—remains the critical barrier to entry. Western firms like AerFin, which hold AFRA accreditation and EASA/FAA Part 145 certifications, are positioning themselves as essential bridges. By bringing international best practices to the Chinese market, these companies help local operators navigate the complex regulatory landscape of the CAAC while ensuring that the “90% recycling” ambition becomes a technical reality rather than just a policy goal.

Sources

Sources: AerFin Official Statement, Boeing Commercial Market Outlook 2024, Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre Data, Air China Fleet Data

This article is based on an official press release from Vantage Group.

Vantage Group Acquires FSM and AvEnergy, Expanding into Fuel and Glycol Infrastructure

Vantage Group, a global leader in airport and transportation infrastructure development, announced on January 8, 2026, that it has acquired FSM Management Group and its subsidiary, AvEnergy Management Group. The transaction marks a significant vertical integration for Vantage, expanding its portfolio beyond terminal management into critical “upstream” utility operations, including aviation fuel and de-icing infrastructure.

Based in Montreal, FSM Management Group specializes in managing aviation fuel and glycol infrastructure, while AvEnergy serves as its operational arm, handling logistics and energy supply. According to the announcement, FSM currently manages infrastructure at 16 airports across Canada and administers 12 fuel and 4 glycol consortiums. This acquisition positions Vantage Group to oversee the essential, often invisible utility networks that keep major Airports functioning.

Note to Readers: This transaction involves Vantage Group, the Vancouver-based airport and infrastructure developer. It is unrelated to the insurance entity Vantage Group Holdings, which is currently subject to a separate acquisition agreement.

Strategic Rationale: From Terminals to Utilities

Vantage Group, known for leading high-profile projects such as the $4.2 billion development of JFK Terminal 6 and the completed redevelopment of LaGuardia Terminal B, stated that this move is designed to “future-proof” transportation infrastructure. By acquiring FSM and AvEnergy, Vantage gains direct control over the logistics of jet fuel and de-icing fluid (glycol), sectors that are facing increasing pressure to modernize.

Sami Teittinen, Chief Financial Officer of Vantage Group, emphasized the strategic fit of the Acquisitions in the company’s press statement:

“FSM and AvEnergy sit at the heart of the aviation ecosystem across the major Canadian airports with deep expertise in critical aviation infrastructure. This acquisition broadens our footprint beyond cargo and passenger operations… and allows us to continue to future proof critical transportation infrastructure across the globe.”

The deal allows Vantage to offer a more comprehensive “turnkey” solution to airport authorities. Rather than managing only the passenger-facing elements of an airport, the company can now oversee the complex consortiums that Airlines form to share fuel and de-icing costs and infrastructure.

AirPro News Analysis: The Sustainability Play

While the press release highlights operational expansion, AirPro News views this acquisition as a calculated move toward the energy transition. The aviation industry is aggressively pursuing Net Zero goals, heavily reliant on the adoption of SAF and environmentally friendly de-icing practices.

Infrastructure is currently a bottleneck for SAF adoption. By owning the management and logistics arm (FSM/AvEnergy) responsible for fuel farms and hydrants at 16 Canadian airports, Vantage Group places itself in a prime position to lead the physical transition to greener fuels. Control over the “last mile” of fuel delivery gives Vantage a strategic advantage in implementing SAF blending and distribution systems that airports will require in the coming decade.

Operational Footprint and Leadership

FSM Management Group and AvEnergy bring a substantial operational footprint to the Vantage portfolio. FSM acts as an administrator for airline consortiums, groups of carriers that jointly own fuel infrastructure, managing construction, operation, and environmental compliance. AvEnergy provides the on-the-ground logistics to ensure safe delivery.

Robert Iasenza, President of FSM Management Group, noted the alignment between the two organizations regarding innovation and connectivity.

“Vantage Group has built a reputation by bringing innovative ideas to fruition and enhancing Sustainability and connectivity in airports, which aligns well to our priorities.”

Vantage Group is a wholly owned strategic platform of Investcorp Corsair Infrastructure Partners. Its international portfolio includes operations in Cyprus, Jamaica, The Bahamas, and multiple Canadian locations including Hamilton and Fort St. John.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this the same Vantage Group involved in the insurance acquisition?
No. There are two distinct companies with similar names making headlines this week. This article concerns Vantage Group (Headquarters: Vancouver), an airport and infrastructure developer. The unrelated insurance company, Vantage Group Holdings, is involved in a separate transaction with Howard Hughes Holdings.

What does FSM Management Group do?
FSM specializes in the management of aviation fuel and aircraft de-icing infrastructure. They administer “consortiums,” which are groups of airlines that share ownership of fuel systems at airports, ensuring the infrastructure is maintained, compliant, and operational.

What is the value of the transaction?
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed in the January 8 announcement, as this is a private transaction.

Sources: Vantage Group Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from Daher.

Daher Reports 76 Aircraft Deliveries in 2025, Highlights Special Mission Growth

Daher delivered a total of 76 single-engine turboprop Commercial-Aircraft in 2025, marking a slight decrease in volume compared to the previous year while expanding its operational footprint in special mission sectors. According to the company’s official announcement, the 2025 figures reflect a resilient industrial performance amidst a challenging global Supply-Chain environment.

The French Manufacturers reported that while raw Deliveries numbers dipped by approximately 7.3% from the 82 units delivered in 2024, the year was characterized by significant milestones, including the delivery of the 600th TBM 900-series aircraft. The company emphasized that its “market expansion” strategy is currently driven by a broader customer base in government and utility sectors rather than immediate unit volume growth.

2025 Delivery Breakdown

Data released by Daher indicates that the TBM family continues to lead the company’s output, though both product lines saw minor contractions compared to 2024 figures. The delivery mix for 2025 included:

• TBM Series: 51 aircraft delivered (primarily the TBM 960), down from 56 in 2024.
• Kodiak Series: 25 aircraft delivered (a mix of Kodiak 100 and Kodiak 900), down from 26 in 2024.

Despite the reduction in total units, Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher’s Aircraft Division, praised the industrial teams for maintaining delivery flows. In a statement regarding the year-end performance, Chabbert noted the company’s focus on fulfilling customer commitments.

“Our teams remained fully mobilized through the final days of 2025 with one clear priority: delivering for our customers. Their efforts underscored Daher Aircraft’s capacity to stay focused on execution and customer commitments, especially as conditions evolved during the year.”

— Nicolas Chabbert, CEO of Daher’s Aircraft Division

Strategic Expansion into Special Missions

A key element of Daher’s 2025 narrative is the diversification of its fleet usage. The manufacturer highlighted the delivery of additional TBM 960 aircraft to the Conair Group in Canada. These aircraft are configured as “birddogs”, lead planes used to guide air tankers during aerial firefighting operations. This deployment signals a shift for the TBM program, validating the high-speed turboprop’s utility in government and special mission roles beyond its traditional owner-pilot market.

Furthermore, Daher solidified its geographic presence in South America by establishing a permanent corporate footprint in Brazil late in the year. This move aims to support the region’s growing fleet, particularly in agricultural and remote transport sectors where turboprops are essential.

AirPro News Analysis: Contextualizing the Dip

While Daher’s press release focuses on operational expansion, the delivery figures offer a window into the broader state of the general aviation market in 2025. The dip of six units year-over-year suggests that supply chain frictions, referenced by Chabbert as “evolving conditions”, remain a constraint for manufacturers.

When viewed alongside competitor performance, Daher’s stability appears robust. Industry data indicates that while Piper Aircraft saw growth in early 2025 driven by the M700 Fury, other competitors faced steeper hurdles. For instance, Swiss manufacturer Pilatus grappled with significant import tariff challenges in the U.S. market late in the year, which disrupted their delivery cadence. By comparison, Daher’s ability to deliver 76 units suggests a stabilized production line that, while slightly contracted, avoided the volatility seen elsewhere in the segment.

The strategic pivot toward “special missions” also provides a buffer against fluctuations in the private luxury market. By securing fleet Contracts for firefighting and utility roles, Daher is effectively insulating its order book against potential softening in consumer demand.

Sources

Daher Official Press Release, GAMA Industry Reports