The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published a study into the environmental impact of end-of-life (EoL) aircraft and the role they play in the sustainability of the aviation industry.

The ‘Assessment of the environmental sustainability status in the Aviation Maintenance and Production Organisation (M&P) Domain’ report presents the outcome of the research study into the EoL phase of an aircraft, a field which has not been studied in depth.

The report focuses on lifecycle phases that fall under EoL – decommissioning, disassembly, dismantling, recycling, landfill – and is divided into three parts.

Part 1 provides an overview of the global and EU-specific, as well as aviation-specific and non-aviation specific sustainability standards and regulations. It highlights some best practices, studies and other initiatives piloted by industry.

Part 2 describes the role sustainability considerations play or could play within the different areas, units, and processes of the aircraft lifecycle. This covers general considerations (e.g. in organisational management, planning/reporting, cooperation amongst organisations and legal aspects), as well as elements within the aerospace industry (maintenance, production, decommissioning/disassembling) and within the waste business (dismantling, energy recovery and landfill activities).

Finally, part 3 lists and weights several recommendations affecting a wide range of stakeholders and phases within the aircraft lifecycle.

To access the report, click here.

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