Ahead of an expected fleet retirement wave from 2016, Airbus has outlined its strategy

for managing “end-of-life” aircraft. The plane maker has calculated that about one-quarter of the 6,000 aircraft to retire over the next 20 years will be Airbus models. In this context, Airbus has started talks with potential partners to set up a network of aircraft recycling centres worldwide, reports Flight International. The group has just completed the first stage of an initiative called Pamela, aimed at formulating best practices for “smart dismantling”. Olivier Malavallon, Pamela project manager within Airbus’s environmental affairs department, points out that “until now, this was not a core business of Airbus”, but the plane maker wants to “be ready” for the first peak of retirements. Hence, Airbus is now “moving to implement an industrial solution” for end-of-life dismantling, which should be completed by October, says Mr Malavallon. Flight International (08/04)