VAS Aero Services, a global leader in aviation logistics and aftermarket services, has been selected by Airbus to manage the teardown of and redistribution of used serviceable material (USM) from three Airbus A380 aircraft being taken out of service.

In 2018, VAS partnered with international lessor, The Dr. Peters Group, on the dismantlement of the very first A380 aircraft ever to be designated for teardown. With this latest collaboration with Airbus on the teardown of three A380s, VAS will have managed the dismantlement of 13 such aircraft in total.

“This project with Airbus is further proof of VAS’s expertise in A380 platform dismantlement and USM parts harvesting and redistribution,” states VAS CEO Tommy Hughes. “Early on we identified the A380 platform as an aftermarket growth opportunity and we continue to aggressively invest in end-of-service A380 aircraft to make critical components available to the global jumbo-body aircraft operator market.”

VAS will manage the teardown of the aircraft (involving airframes MSN 61, 66, and 84) through its partnership with Tarmac Aerosave, a leader in aircraft storage, maintenance and recycling based in Tarbes, France. Harvested parts will be positioned in Europe for ready access to customers throughout the EMEA market, leveraging VAS’s vital spare parts sales network serving MROs and airlines across the region.

The aircrafts’ LRU engines will be made available for lease, as well as harvested for in-demand USM parts, according to VAS.

With deliveries of Boeing’s 777X platform delayed until at least 2026, there is an increasing reliance on the A380 to fill the need for large, long-haul aircraft, Tommy notes. That demand is putting pressure on quality USM parts inventory availability for the existing A380 assets, estimated to be as many as 175 aircraft in operation worldwide.

“The timing is right for a program focused on retiring end-of-life A380 aircraft and monetizing the residual value of their serviceable parts,” says Tommy. “As a Best Partner to lessors and airline operators, VAS offers unparalleled expertise in aircraft teardown and harvested parts re-sale through our worldwide aftermarket sales network. We help turn aircraft retirement into revenue and a powerful return on investment,” says Tommy.

About VAS Aero Services

The end of an aircraft’s flying life is just the beginning of new value creation. For more than 45 years, VAS Aero Services has been creating value for its global aviation clients through its industry-leading expertise and tailor-made aftermarket solutions. OEM’s, Airlines and Lessors in need of material rely on VAS as their Best Partner to ensure a smooth sourcing experience for engines and aircraft platforms. Our tradition of quality and our focus on innovation drives success for customers around the world, helping them realize the full potential of already produced resources. And by recycling aircraft parts back into service, we are aiding the growth of a more eco-responsible, sustainable global aviation industry. VAS Aero Services is an independent subsidiary of Satair, an Airbus Services company. For more information, please visit www.vas.aero