MRO & Manufacturing
AerFin Completes A320neo Teardowns to Support Global Aviation Supply Chain
AerFin dismantled eight A320neo aircraft, recovering over 9,000 parts to address supply chain delays and engine shortages worldwide.
This article is based on an official press release from AerFin, supplemented by industry research.
On June 2, 2026, UK-based aviation asset specialist AerFin announced a significant milestone in its Airbus A320neo support program. According to an official company press release, AerFin has successfully completed the teardown of eight A320neo aircraft, harvesting over 9,000 high-demand components to support global fleet operations and alleviate severe supply chain bottlenecks.
This development arrives at a critical juncture for the commercial aviation sector. With a well-documented engine shortage and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) delays grounding hundreds of aircraft worldwide, the secondary market for used serviceable material (USM) has become a vital lifeline for Airlines. To keep active fleets operational, asset managers are increasingly dismantling relatively young aircraft to harvest their parts.
We are observing a shift in how aviation assets are managed, moving away from traditional end-of-life recycling toward strategic, mid-life disassembly to feed a starved global supply chain.
The Strategic Shift to Mid-Life Teardowns
Harvesting High-Demand Components
The recent teardown program executed by AerFin has generated a massive influx of critical spare parts for the A320neo family. According to the company’s announcement, the dismantling of the eight aircraft yielded an average of 1,200 to 1,400 serviceable parts per airframe. The recovered inventory includes major structural assemblies, nacelles, Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), landing gears, rotables, and consumables. Furthermore, AerFin confirmed it is offering fresh-from-shop Pratt & Whitney PW1000 GTF engines for lease or sale.
To ensure these components reach operators quickly, AerFin has strategically positioned the harvested inventory across its global warehousing network. Parts are currently distributed across facilities in Newport (Wales), Gatwick (UK), Singapore, and Miami (Florida), a move designed to significantly reduce lead times for airlines facing Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situations.
Global Logistics and Partnerships
Executing a teardown program of this scale requires a specialized global network. AerFin’s press release notes that the company relied on key strategic partners to manage the disassembly and logistics. The initial European batch of A320neos was dismantled by TARMAC Aerosave at its Tarbes facility in France. Industry data indicates that TARMAC Aerosave utilizes a four-phase recycling process capable of achieving a material recovery rate of up to 92%.
In the Asia-Pacific region, the teardowns were conducted by SIA Engineering Company (SIAEP) in the Philippines. This marked the first-ever A320neo teardown in the country, which was completed nose-to-tail in just 30 days. Logistics, dangerous goods handling, and regional warehousing are being managed by B&H Worldwide out of the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore (ALPS).
“Locating engines and components within the region allows us to respond faster to customer demand, reducing lead times and ensuring operators can access the right assets when they need them.”
Navigating the Aerospace Supply Chain Crisis
The GTF Engine Bottleneck
To understand the necessity of AerFin’s teardown program, we must look at the broader macroeconomic factors impacting aerospace manufacturing in 2025 and 2026. The industry is currently grappling with the fallout of a massive recall involving Pratt & Whitney PW1100G (GTF) engines. Following the discovery of a rare powder-metal defect in 2023, airlines have been forced to subject their engines to lengthy inspections. Industry research shows that Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) shop visits for these engines are currently stretching up to 300 days.
At the peak of this crisis, over 700 A320neo family aircraft were grounded worldwide. Compounding the issue, Airbus has struggled to meet its Deliveries targets. In May 2026, Airbus informed customers that A320neo family delivery delays could persist until 2028, driven largely by shortages of Pratt & Whitney and CFM engines, alongside fuselage panel manufacturing issues.
“Pratt & Whitney’s failure to commit to the number of engines ordered by Airbus is negatively impacting this year’s guidance and the ramp-up trajectory… We are very frustrated that they have decided to reallocate more to the in-service [aircraft] to the detriment of Airbus.”
AirPro News analysis
The phenomenon of “strategic teardowns” highlights a profound inversion in aerospace asset valuation. Historically, commercial aircraft were operated for 20 to 25 years before facing the dismantler’s torch. Today, we observe relatively young aircraft, such as 2017-vintage A320neos, being acquired specifically for disassembly. When a dismantled eight-to-nine-year-old airframe yields a higher financial return than an intact, flying aircraft, it underscores the severity of OEMs manufacturing delays and the acute scarcity of spare parts.
AerFin’s operations serve as a vital pressure-release valve for the industry. By recycling up to 92% of an aircraft and injecting thousands of certified parts into the secondary market, companies in the USM sector are providing a sustainable, immediate alternative to waiting for delayed OEM components. This circular economy model is no longer just an end-of-life strategy; it is a critical operational requirement for airlines trying to maintain capacity in a constrained market.
AerFin’s Expanding Global Footprint
Founded in 2010 by Bob James, AerFin (Aviation Engine and Repair Finance) has grown into a major player in the aviation asset management space. The company, currently led by CEO Simon Goodson, specializes in buying, selling, leasing, and repairing aircraft, engines, and parts. In 2019, Danish private equity firm CataCap acquired a 61% majority stake in the business.
Operating out of a 116,000-square-foot headquarters in Newport, Wales, AerFin employs over 220 people and serves more than 600 customers across six continents. According to industry reports, the company generates revenues exceeding $350 million annually. With additional A320neo aircraft already secured and entering the onboarding and disassembly phase, AerFin is positioning itself to remain a central figure in mitigating the ongoing Supply-Chain crisis.
“Aircraft teardowns aren’t just a chapter in the end-of-life playbook. They’ve become a strategic lever for owners navigating tough market conditions… The increased pace of mid-life aircraft teardowns is not, in itself, a signal of market strength. It’s a direct consequence of constrained supply chains and pressure on the OEMs.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is a strategic aircraft teardown?
A strategic teardown involves dismantling an aircraft to harvest its individual components (engines, landing gear, avionics) for resale or lease. In the current market, relatively young aircraft are being torn down because their individual parts are in such high demand that they are worth more than the intact aircraft. - Why are so many A320neo aircraft grounded?
A rare powder-metal defect discovered in 2023 in Pratt & Whitney GTF engines requires extensive inspections. Due to a shortage of spare engines and MRO shop visits taking up to 300 days, hundreds of aircraft have been temporarily grounded. - How many parts are recovered during a teardown?
According to AerFin, a standard A320neo teardown yields between 1,200 and 1,400 serviceable components, which are then certified and distributed to the secondary market.
Sources:
AerFin Official Press Release
Photo Credit: AerFin
MRO & Manufacturing
JCB Aero Gains Part 145 Approval for Boeing 737 Family
JCB Aero receives Part 145 approval for Boeing 737 base and line maintenance, expanding beyond its Airbus MRO operations in Auch, France.
JCB Aero has secured Part 145 maintenance approval to perform base and line maintenance on the Boeing 737 aircraft family, expanding the French facility’s capabilities beyond its established Airbus operations.
The approval, received in August 2026 and announced by the company on September 3, 2026, covers the Boeing 737-600, Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, and Boeing 737-900 variants. Located in Auch, near Toulouse, the subsidiary of the AMAC Aerospace Group initially launched its MRO operations in October 2024 with a focus on Airbus airframes.
Expanding MRO capabilities in Auch
The addition of Boeing 737 maintenance authorization allows JCB Aero to capture a broader segment of the narrowbody market. The company stated it has already begun issuing quotations for Boeing operators and expects to induct the first 737 airframes into its hangar in the coming months.
This expansion follows a period of high utilization for the Auch facility. Earlier in 2026, AMAC Aerospace reported full hangar capacity at the site, driven by maintenance and modification projects on Airbus Corporate Jets, specifically the ACJ318 and ACJ319 platforms.
Management perspective on the Boeing approval
The certification aligns with recent leadership transitions at the company, including the March 2026 appointment of Sébastien Kubler as Chief Operating Officer. Kubler previously served as the technical director of production and engineering for the firm.
In a statement regarding the new certification, Kubler highlighted the strategic value of the dual-manufacturer capability:
“Receiving this Boeing approval marks an important milestone in the development of JCB Aero’s MRO activities. Adding the Boeing 737 family to our existing Airbus capabilities enables us to serve a wider range of customers and further strengthens our position as a flexible and responsive MRO partner. This achievement is also a great recognition of the commitment and expertise of our teams.”
AirPro News analysis
Securing Part 145 approval for the Boeing 737 family represents a logical progression for JCB Aero as it matures its MRO footprint in southern France. By diversifying its capabilities to include both major narrowbody platforms, the facility reduces its exposure to single-manufacturer fleet dynamics. We view this dual-platform capability as a standard requirement for independent MRO providers seeking to maximize hangar utilization and attract mixed-fleet operators.
Sources: JCB Aero, AMAC Aerospace
Photo Credit: JCB Aero
MRO & Manufacturing
AnimaWings Selects SAMCO for A220 Base Maintenance
AnimaWings signs SAMCO as A220 base maintenance provider and inducts another A220-300 via Maastricht Aachen Airport.
Romanian operator AnimaWings has inducted another Airbus A220-300 into its growing fleet following the completion of livery and engineering work by SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance and MAAS Aviation. The aircraft’s release to service coincides with a formal agreement signed on September 3, 2026, designating SAMCO as the base maintenance provider for the airline’s A220 operations.
The preparation of the new narrowbody aircraft took place at Maastricht Aachen Airport (MST) in the Netherlands. According to a company statement, SAMCO partnered with neighboring facility MAAS Aviation to provide an integrated induction solution for the carrier.
Integrated maintenance and livery operations
The induction process required coordination between specialized aviation service providers at the Dutch airport. MAAS Aviation completed the aircraft painting and livery application, while SAMCO managed the regulatory and engineering requirements necessary for commercial operations.
SAMCO utilized its European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 21 approval to manage the workscope preparation and design elements of the induction. Following the physical painting process, the maintenance provider officially released the aircraft into commercial service under its Part 145 certification. In its announcement, SAMCO stated the co-located collaboration ensured a “smooth transition from the paint shop to the skies.”
AnimaWings fleet expansion and maintenance strategy
The recent aircraft delivery aligns with a broader operational partnership between the Romanian carrier and the Dutch maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider. AviTrader reported that on September 3, 2026, AnimaWings officially selected SAMCO to provide tailored base maintenance services for its expanding Airbus A220 fleet to ensure long-term operational availability and reliability.
AnimaWings is currently executing a fleet modernization strategy with a stated target of operating 18 aircraft by the end of 2027. The airline has centered this growth on the Airbus A220-300. According to Skies Mag, the aircraft type delivers a 25% reduction in fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions per seat compared to previous-generation aircraft, supporting the carrier’s efficiency targets.
AirPro News analysis
We view the co-location of specialized aviation services at regional hubs like Maastricht Aachen Airport as a significant advantage for growing carriers. By utilizing adjacent facilities for painting and engineering release, operators can minimize non-revenue repositioning flights and reduce overall aircraft downtime. For a carrier like AnimaWings scaling rapidly toward an 18-aircraft fleet, securing a dedicated base maintenance provider that can also manage induction workflows provides critical operational stability during a period of high growth.
Sources: SAMCO Aircraft Maintenance
Photo Credit: AnimaWings
MRO & Manufacturing
RECARO Aircraft Seating Launches R4 Premium Class Seat
RECARO officially introduced the R4 premium seat on Aug 25, 2026, with EASA certification for the Boeing 787.
RECARO Aircraft Seating officially introduced the R4 premium class seat on August 25, 2026, marking the successor to its decade-old PL3530 model. Initial deliveries of the new seating system began in June 2026, with entry into commercial service expected later in the year.
In a press release issued from its Schwaebisch Hall, Germany headquarters, the manufacturer detailed the R4’s focus on enhanced ergonomics, privacy, and accessibility. The seat is currently certified under European Technical Standard Orders (ETSO) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for installation on the Boeing 787, with additional airframe certifications in progress.
Design and passenger experience upgrades
The R4 introduces several modern amenities designed to address evolving passenger expectations in widebody premium cabins. Key features include a six-way adjustable headrest with integrated neck support, side ambient lighting, and privacy wings equipped with an integrated reading light. For in-flight entertainment, the seat accommodates a 16-inch integrated monitor.
The design also incorporates functional workspace and connectivity improvements. Passengers have access to an extra-wide single-plate tray table featuring a soft open and close mechanism, an integrated Personal Electronic Device (PED) holder, and customizable power options. The seat features a side console with dedicated access designed specifically for Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM).
Strategic positioning and certification
The launch of the R4 builds upon the foundation of the PL3530, which RECARO originally introduced to the market in 2015. By securing initial ETSO certification for the Boeing 787, RECARO positions the R4 to capture widebody premium economy and regional business class retrofit and line-fit opportunities.
Mark Hiller, CEO and Shareholder of RECARO Aircraft Seating and CEO of RECARO Holding, highlighted the strategic importance of the new product line.
“We are proud to introduce the R4, the latest addition to our Premium Class portfolio. Building on the success of the PL3530, the R4 reflects our commitment to combining comfort, ergonomics, and premium features in a seating solution designed to meet the evolving expectations of both airlines and passengers.”
AirPro News analysis
The introduction of the R4 underscores a broader industry trend where seat manufacturers are elevating premium economy products to mirror the business class standards of previous decades. By integrating features like 16-inch monitors and enhanced privacy wings, we see RECARO directly targeting airlines looking to monetize the growing demand for premium leisure travel. The specific inclusion of PRM-accessible consoles also indicates a proactive approach to upcoming accessibility mandates in major aviation markets. Securing EASA certification for the Boeing 787 first is a logical entry point, given the aircraft’s heavy utilization on long-haul routes where premium seating demand is highest.
Sources: RECARO Aircraft Seating
Photo Credit: RECARO Aircraft Seating
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