European and UK aircraft parts companies are actively dismantling Airbus A320neo aircraft, which are relatively young at only a few years of age. Eirtrade Aviation in Ireland recently acquired two six-year-old A320neos, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1127 GTF engines, for part-out. These aircraft will have their engines and APUs removed and sold, while the airframes are disassembled at the company's Knock facility.
Similarly, UK-based Aerfin has completed disassembly of six A320neo airframes—five in France and one in the Philippines—building a stock of over 6,000 components. These include structural assemblies, nacelles, APUs, landing gear, and various rotables and consumables. Aerfin CEO Simon Goodson explained that the company’s role is to help operators navigate supply chain challenges by recovering and distributing high-quality components globally.
In addition, AJW Group, a British parts supplier, has been tearing down similar aircraft. During the MRO Europe conference in London, its chief commercial officer, Scott Symington, emphasized that high market valuations and lease rates for the Neo’s engines drive these dismantling activities. He noted that, due to lessors earning significant income from engines, some operators are choosing to part out aircraft rather than lease them out as whole units.
The A320neo airframe shares considerable commonality with the older A320 models, and its value is primarily derived from about 100 key parts, with the remaining components often being surplus inventory for AJW. This trend indicates a shift in asset utilization strategies among supply chain players amidst market pressures.
