TARMAC Aerosave and AerFin to Dismantle 10 A320neo and 737 MAX

TARMAC Aerosave and aviation asset management specialist AerFin will dismantle more than 10 new-generation narrow-body aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, before the end of 2026. The move highlights a growing industry trend where young airframes are scrapped to harvest high-value components amid ongoing global supply chain constraints.

In a press release issued on September 11, 2026, TARMAC Aerosave announced the strengthening of its 10-year partnership with AerFin to meet unprecedented aftermarket demand. To process the aircraft, TARMAC Aerosave has established a dedicated operational line tailored to AerFin’s specific teardown requirements.

Dedicated teardown operations

The new operational structure focuses on specialized extraction needs to accelerate the return of serviceable material to the market. TARMAC Aerosave has assigned a dedicated team to handle cabin removal, landing gear extraction, and the management of priority and standard parts lists.

“With more than 10 aircraft projects again this year for AerFin, this collaboration confirms our position as a leading player in the dismantling and recycling market,” stated Christian Ceruti, Chief Commercial Officer of TARMAC Aerosave. “Our dedicated organisation allows us to respond with the responsiveness that this high-demand market requires today.”

AerFin Chief Operating Officer Simon Bayliss noted that the program reflects the value the partnership creates for customers as the demand for new-generation aircraft material continues to grow. The companies confirmed that additional joint dismantling projects are already in preparation for 2027.

The economics of scrapping young aircraft

The aviation industry is currently experiencing a severe shortage of spare parts and engines, driven by manufacturing delays and maintenance backlogs. Engine durability issues, particularly with powerplants like the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF), have left many operators searching for replacement components to keep their fleets active.

According to reporting by AeroCorner, this environment has led to young aircraft being scrapped for parts. In 2026, two Airbus A320neo aircraft previously operated by Spirit Airlines were recycled at just three and four years of age. The components and engines of these young jets proved more valuable on the secondary market than the intact airframes.

AirPro News analysis

We are witnessing a structural shift in aircraft lifecycle management. Historically, commercial airframes operated for 20 to 25 years before facing the recycler’s torch. The current supply chain environment has inverted this economic model for certain fleets. When a three-year-old Airbus A320neo is worth more as a collection of spare parts than as a flying asset, it underscores the severity of the engine maintenance backlog and the premium operators place on immediate parts availability. This collaboration between TARMAC Aerosave and AerFin is a direct market response to these constraints, and we expect similar teardown programs to accelerate through 2027 as long as original equipment manufacturer (OEMs) bottlenecks persist.

Sources: TARMAC Aerosave and AerFin, AeroCorner, Aviation Week