Airbus opens first service centre for plane lifecycle in Chengdu

Airbus has inaugurated the Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre (ALSC) in Chengdu, China, marking a significant milestone as the first service center exclusively dedicated to managing the complete lifecycle of an aircraft.

This state-of-the-art facility serves as a comprehensive one-stop shop, encompassing activities ranging from aircraft parking and storage to maintenance, upgrades, conversions, and ultimately, dismantling and recycling services for various aircraft types. The centre also oversees the controlled distribution of used parts obtained through dismantling.

Certified by both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre in Chengdu boasts a vast surface area of 717,000 square meters and a substantial storage capacity, accommodating up to 125 aircraft. Over the course of the next few years, the site is set to gradually expand its operations, with plans to employ up to 150 individuals by 2025.

Notably, the main buildings of the Airbus Lifecycle Services Centre have earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, showcasing a commitment to reducing environmental impacts associated with its operations. This collaborative venture involves Airbus, Tarmac Aerosave, the city of Chengdu, and Airbus company Satair.

Tarmac Aerosave, with over 15 years of proven expertise in efficient aircraft storage, dismantling, and recycling, contributes valuable insights to the project. Meanwhile, Airbus company Satair plays a crucial role in acquiring aging aircraft, trading, and distributing used parts, ensuring the comprehensive coverage of the aircraft lifecycle services.

The joint venture anticipates that 75 percent of the aircraft stored in the centre will resume flight after undergoing storage and upgrades. For the remaining aircraft, the innovative Tarmac Aerosave process will be employed, recovering approximately 90 percent of the aircraft weight.