Towards Sustainable Management of End-of-Life Aircraft: Challenges, Innovations, and Circular Economy Perspectives

The rapid growth of the aerospace industry, marked by a doubling of worldwide passenger and cargo traffic by 2030, causes concern for the management of end-of-life (EOL) aircraft. As population and demand increase, waste management is always a huge concern, and end-of-life materials of aircraft can have a significant impact on the environment without proper disposal, treatment, and processing. This study explores the stages of the EOL process and emerging strategies and technologies for addressing environmental and economic challenges within the aerospace sector. In addition, this study reveals the pivotal role of composite materials in modern aircraft design, which offers a higher performance edge but poses a recycling challenge. Current practices in aircraft recycling and recovery include the PAMELA project and “R” strategies. These practices were examined alongside emerging innovations such as pyrolysis and digital twin technology to examine the efficacy of the methods. In addition, the circular economy principle was explored, advocating for a shift towards sustainable resource utilization and waste reduction. In conclusion, numerous challenges still persist in managing EOL aircraft materials, therefore there is still a need for continuous research to create a more eco-friendly aerospace industry.