Emirates has signed a contract with Falcon Aircraft Recycling for the recycling and reuse of materials from its first A380, which was retired from service last year. This unique end-of-life for the aircraft will reduce the environmental impact of the disposal process and minimize the amount of waste to be buried and/or incinerated. The recovery of materials will be carried out entirely in the United Arab Emirates, which will further reduce the environmental footprint of the project by minimizing transportation.
Falcon’s task will differ from the end-of-life process generally used in the industry. Traditional projects seek to recover and reuse only cost-effective components. Once these are obtained, the rest of the aircraft is disposed of or remains in storage for years. In addition, many aircraft components can be difficult to recycle.
Tim Clark, President of Emirates, said, «We are proud to be part of this project, which provides an elegant and fitting solution for the retirement of this iconic aircraft and our flagship. Through this initiative, fans will be able to take home a piece of aviation history». On the other hand, Andrew Tonks, Director of Falcon Aircraft Recycling, noted the ambition of the project, «which will be the first dismantlement of an A380 outside of Europe». As part of the process, «approximately 190 tons of various metals, plastics, carbon fiber composites, and other materials will be recovered from the aircraft». These materials, according to Tonks, will be recycled or reused.
The aircraft, which operated for Emirates since 2008 under the A6-EDA registration, was the first A380 delivered to the airline. After completing its last commercial operation – Singapore-Dubai on March 8, 2020 – it was taken to the airline’s Engineering Center at Dubai International Airport. There, Emirates personnel removed the usable components (engines, landing gear, and flight control parts). It was then handed over to the Falcon team to begin the scrapping process.
Wings Craft, another UAE-based company specializing in the manufacture of furniture and custom-made items from aircraft materials, will collaborate with Falcon in designing collector’s items from the materials and parts taken from the aircraft. According to the airline, these will be offered for sale, in phases, in the coming months.
