EADS Sogerma and SITA are to open an aircraft dismantling and recycling centre at Tarbes airport near Toulouse, with end-of-life parting out to be offered by Airbus as part of its new aircraft sales packages.
The Process for Advanced Management of End-of-Life Aircraft (Pamela) project is funded by the Midi-Pyrénées regional government, which will donate its hangar at Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées airport.
The facility could lead to a full dismantlement base, says Philippe Baylet, project manager for inward investment of Midi-Pyrénées Expansion. “It will be a big project and already has the support of Sogerma, SITA and Airbus and we have already received interest from foreign investors.”
The centre expects to dismantle the first aircraft by the end of this year and to produce a report on the feasibility of basing a facility in the region. Every year about 6,500 aircraft reach the end of their life, says Midi-Pyrénées Expansion, and new European rules on recycling and disposal of dangerous chemicals make such a centre necessary.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE/TOULOUSE
Source: Flight International
