TV news magazine ’60 Minutes Australia’, have filmed the final flight of a Qantas Boeing 767, being transferred to the Southern Californian Logistics Centre, in Victorville, USA.
Victorville, which is located 80 miles northeast of LA, is home to one of three major commercial aircraft ‘boneyards’ in the U.S – and can hold around 300 planes for both storage and eventual scrapping/ recycling.
Whilst an ‘aircraft boneyard’ on the surface may look ominous for industry, it actually showcases why aviation is continuing to grow, how manufacturers are responding to customer demand and how airlines are set to deliver greater aircraft economics and efficiency savings with next generation jets.
The aircraft backlog of over 12,000 aircraft is based on both fleet replacement and growth requirements for new, more efficient and more environmentally friendly commercial aircraft. New engine derivatives such as the A320neo and 737 MAX come with a >15% increase in aircraft fuel efficiency – saving both the airline and passenger significant amounts of money per journey. The video’s interview with Randy Tinseth from Boeing outlines why industry improvements and innovations are pushing airlines to upgrade and renew their fleets.
NB. The UK also has a presence in aircraft storage and replacement, with company’s such as ASI operating the largest aircraft storage and dismantling facility in Europe, at 170,000sq ft, from Cotswolds Airport . Back in 2004/5 ASI was awarded a contract by British Airways to dismantle, move and rebuild two Concorde aircraft.
