Announced in a press release submitted to Simple Flying, EirTrade Aviation has partnered with RESIDCO to acquire two Airbus A320neo aircraft for teardown, marking the youngest airframes of the type ever dismantled. The aircraft were previously operated by Spirit Airlines and are just four and three and a half years old. Disassembly is taking place in Goodyear, Arizona, with parts destined for EirTrade’s Dallas hub. The transaction is designed to bolster the supply of next-generation used serviceable material (USM) amid growing global demand. //

Early-life teardowns, once uncommon, are now emerging as a strategic response to supply-chain constraints and escalating maintenance costs. //

There are currently more than 4,400 Airbus A320neo aircraft in commercial service worldwide, with a further 7,200 on order. This excludes the approximately 6,500 A320ceo aircraft still operating, many of which share common components. Given the size of the installed base, the A320 platform is expected to remain the largest segment of the global commercial fleet for decades. As a result, demand for USM is projected to increase steadily.

Early-life teardowns provide access to components that align with current regulatory and operational standards, offering operators an alternative to new-part procurement.