Recycled aircraft cabin equipment scheme provides an environmentally friendly alternative for airlines

Scrapping ageing aircraft is a long and costly process for airlines and with greater economies for newer, more efficient models, airlines are retiring more aircraft than ever. Whether giving up a passenger role and moving to freight or retiring altogether this presents airlines with the environmental operation of scrapping components.

While this means airlines may have a ready supply of aircraft cabin components, having the right kit in the right place at the right time, as well as having to pay for its storage until needed, is not necessarily always possible or viable.

As a supplier of cabin training systems to airlines we have recently started receiving selected retiring cabin equipment for rework and recycling in a cabin crew training role. Equipment is de-commissioned for training use and supplied as either a static training device or modified for supply in a project cabin training system where it forms part of a more interactive audio/visual solution to cabin crew safety training. Whichever role the recycled cabin equipment moves into it is given a new lease of life and reduces the airlines impact on the environment by providing an alternative to costly scrapping and ultimately land fill.

Initial pilot trials started this summer (2010). If there is a steady demand from cabin crew training schools this environmentally friendly option for airlines to reduce their environmental impact, reduce their scrapping costs and have a ready supply of cabin components for training will become a stable offer. Stocks remain low for the trial period while its viability is confirmed.