Lleida-Alguaire Airport: Europe’s Largest Boeing B737 MAX Parking
Lleida, Jan 27– Lleida-Alguaire Airport, managed by Aeropuertos de Cataluña, hosts the largest number of parked B737 MAX aircraft in Europe, according to a CNN report. These aircraft were grounded over a year ago following two fatal crashes.
Major airports are not ideal for storing aircraft due to high costs, similar to downtown parking fees. European hubs can charge up to $300 per hour, the report states.
Inaugurated on January 17, 2010, Lleida-Alguaire Airport was intended to serve Lleida, its surrounding area, and Andorra. Initially projected to handle 395,000 passengers annually, the airport saw only 115,043 passengers in its first three years. The project cost was 90 million euros, funded by the Catalan government under a mixed public-private management model.
The lack of regular commercial traffic has allowed this airport to specialize in storage. Norwegian and Icelandair have stored 10 new B737 MAX aircraft at Alguaire, some fresh off the assembly line, according to CNN.
Stored aircraft undergo an intense daily maintenance program to protect and preserve them until they can fly again. Processes prevent corrosion and ensure systems remain functional, with engines receiving special attention. Humidity is managed with sensors and dehumidifying devices, explains Miguel Martín, technical director of Servitec Aircraft Maintenance.
“Not all aircraft need this. It depends on the program they are on, but yes, we start the engines and run them to ensure everything works when needed,” Martín adds.
Aircraft Dismantling
Not all aircraft at Alguaire will fly again; some are retired from service. Many are still airworthy but no longer financially viable to maintain. Their parts and spares are often worth more than the aircraft itself.
It’s sad to see a Boeing 747 Jumbo jet scrapped, but that’s what’s happening at Alguaire. Scrapping involves compiling an inventory of parts, which are then removed and sold. The aircraft is inspected, tested, and dismantled at industrial airports like Lleida-Alguaire. Engines are the most valuable components, followed by other parts and spares.
“When we switch off the power, it is the official death of the aircraft, there’s no way back,” explains Martín, adding that from a currently dismantled Airbus A330, they extracted over 4,600 parts. Each item is cataloged, cleaned, and processed for the aircraft owners.
Original Source: Actualidad Aeroespacial
