Quantcast

Boeing 747 retirements boost demand for storage and recycling industries

Routes 360 Headlines: Key Stories Of The Week (W/C October 20, 2025)
LATAM CEO: New Aircraft Mean New Routes, Engine Woes Remain A Concern
Boeing wins FAA approval to hike 737 MAX production to 42 planes per month
IATA Highlights Critical Priorities for Aviation Safety and Operations
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 22, 2025)
First new Qantas Airbus jets come with one toilet for every 90 economy passengers – worse than Jetstar, Scoot and Ryanair
Breeze Airways becomes the first new US flag carrier in a decade — just as rival Spirit fights its 2nd bankruptcy
Airport runway close calls spur hopes for wider adoption of cockpit alert technology
Family sues American Airlines over deadly crash near National Airport
United Airlines briefly grounds all flights in US, Canada for second time in 2 months
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike
United Airlines lifts brief ground stop after tech issue prompts FAA halt
Spirit Airlines preparing to furlough one-third of its flight attendants
‘Hypocrisy’ and ‘blackmail’: Ryanair’s feud with Spain
Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
Boeing 747 retirements boost demand for storage and recycling industries
Policy
Webp b747
Boeing 747 | Wikipedia

As the Boeing 747 reaches the end of its production and service life, many carriers are faced with decisions about storing these large aircraft. According to Simple Flying, the cost of storing a Boeing 747 can reach approximately $10,000 per month, similar to that of an Airbus A380. The storage cost varies based on factors such as location and model.

The Boeing 747 is known for its significant size, with a wingspan ranging from 195 ft 8 in to 224 ft 7 in and lengths between 184 ft 9 in and 231 ft 10 in. Due to these dimensions, storage facilities charge high fees for space allocation. The costs are also influenced by the duration of storage contracts and ground handling requirements.

Pinal Airpark in Marana, Arizona is a notable site where many retired Boeing 747s are stored. This facility gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic when numerous carriers retired their aging fleets. Pinal Airpark benefits from a dry climate that helps limit corrosion and has become one of the largest commercial aircraft storage facilities globally.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Aircraft recycling is another industry gaining traction alongside storage facilities. Companies like Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions (AELS) and Air Salvage International lead this sector, which Research & Markets expects to grow significantly by 2028. Recycling allows airlines to offset some costs associated with storing or replacing their obsolete aircraft by selling valuable parts.

Despite a decline in active service numbers for the Boeing 747 family—more than half have been scrapped or stored—some variants remain operational. As of April 2025, over 400 Boeing 747s were still flying, primarily newer models like the 747-400 and the more modernized version, the 747-8.

With continued retirements expected for this iconic aircraft type, both storage facilities and recycling businesses anticipate growth opportunities as they capitalize on the decommissioning process.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Delta Air Lines will introduce new in-flight menu options created by celebrity chef José Andrés starting November 4.

Oct 25, 2025

The Blue Sky partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue launched today, allowing members of both airlines’ loyalty programs to earn and redeem points across the two carriers.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada is set to expand its presence at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) by introducing four new nonstop routes to the United States in 2026.

Oct 25, 2025

United Airlines has announced it will add 10 new destinations from its Chicago O'Hare International Airport hub starting next year.

Oct 25, 2025

The partnership between United Airlines and JetBlue, known as Blue Sky, has officially launched.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines will introduce its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft on December 18, marking the first time a U.S. airline operates this model.

Oct 25, 2025