Management of End-of-life aircrafts in Iran focusing on resource conservation and carbon footprint reduction

Abstract Every year around 400 aircrafts are retired and taken out of service worldwide that is expected to increase steadily as aviation industry expands. The number of end-of-life airplanes is anticipated to research 12000 to 14000 in ca. two decades. Final safe and proper disposal of end-of-life aircrafts is recongized as a great environmental concern in many developed countries The main objective of this research was to evaluate the curent situation of waste management in aviation industry in Iran as well as examining the appropriate strategies for management of end-of-life aircrafts, emphasizing on aircraft waste recycling and its enviro-economic impacts. The current situation of the Iran’s air fleet has been investigated in this context followed by evaluation of the amount of recyclable aluminum from end-of-life aircrafts. Energy saving and carbon fotprint reduction as a result of aircraft recycling as well as its economic benefits were deterimned. Results indicated that more than 157358 Giga Joule could be saved through proper management of end-of-life aircrafts in Iran. In addition, carbon dioxide emission from this sector can be reduced by more than 12539 ton and financial benefit of 194830064000 Rials would be achieved by recycling of aluminum from end-of-life aircrafts of Iran aviation fleet. Obtained results quantitatively demonstrated significant environmental and economical benefits from proper management of aircraft wastes in aviation industry suggesting serious planning and promotion of recycling programs for end-of-life aircrafts in Iran.