Alice Springs Airport in Australia has signed an agreement to house the country's first aircraft storage and recycling facility.

Australian company Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage (APAS) will lead the project, which will eventually accommodate between 250 and 300 aircraft.

The 100ha facility will be located next to the runway and opposite the main terminal building.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2011, the first phase of which will include a taxiway, de-fuelling pad and hard stand area.

"This facility is an exciting step for aviation in Australia and represents the first Asia Pacific-based alternative for customers with aircraft based or operating throughout the region," said APAS managing director Tom Vincent, adding that aircraft have "historically been ferried to the west coast of the United States for storage purposes".

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news