TUI has begun dismantling its first Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner after deciding the aircraft is more valuable for parts than as a complete jet. The airliner, registered G-TUID, was flown to a dismantling facility at Kemble in Gloucestershire where it will be cut up. This Dreamliner was delivered to the UK carrier in 2013 and spent much of its service flying popular holiday routes, including flights from the UK to the Caribbean and Florida.
G-TUID was returned to its lessor after about 12 years of service, and the decision to scrap rather than keep the aircraft in the fleet highlights a growing trend in aviation. Modern aircraft are being retired earlier than expected as airlines and leasing companies see higher value in selling parts than operating older airframes.
The Kemble site is well known in the industry for aircraft dismantling and regularly breaks down a variety of jets. While this TUI Dreamliner is one of the first widely recognized commercial 787s to be scrapped, other early Boeing 787s have already been disassembled in recent years.
Industry observers note that rising demand for spare engines, avionics and other components has made part-out value increasingly attractive, even for relatively young aircraft. Combined with ongoing supply chain challenges in aviation, this shift is prompting airlines and leasing companies to reassess the economics of keeping older widebodies in service versus harvesting them for parts.
Simon has been writing aviation articles for nearly 10 years and is the senior article writer at Fresh Aviation, with a background in aviation and a commercial pilot Simon knows his stuff in the aviation world. Simon has spoken on BBC Radio, contributed to Bristol Post and has various aviation articles on various websites.