Initiative ensures more than 85% of the total weight of
end-of-life-cycle aircraft can be recovered or recycled
MONTREAL, Jan. 16, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Transat, in collaboration
with Aerocycle, an aircraft dismantling and recycling specialist, has
once again confirmed its steadfast commitment to sustainability
principles by laying the foundations for a program for green
dismantling of end-of-life-cycle aircraft. A recent project conducted
by the partners saw two Airbus A310s dismantled in an environmentally
responsible and sustainable manner, with 87% of their components
recovered.
The two Air Transat aircraft were dismantled at Montréal-Mirabel
International Airport in July 2013 in compliance with an international
standard established by the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA)
and using an environmental management system introduced by Aéroports de
Montréal (ADM, the Montreal airports authority), with co-ordination
provided by sustainable-development consulting firm Eko-Conseil.
"Environmental protection and sustainability are integral to Transat's
corporate culture," said Jean-François Lemay, General Manager, Air
Transat, adding: "We have been stepping up our efforts in environmental
management since 2007, and today stand proudly as a leader in
responsible disposal of end-of-life-cycle aircraft. To qualify as
sustainable, dismantling must enable the recycling of at least 85% of
the plane. With the collaboration of our employees as well as our
network of partners, we've achieved a level of performance that
actually exceeds the industry standard."
While there are currently no North American environmental standards for
aircraft dismantling, the project initiated by Air Transat and
Aerocycle succeeded in recovering some 83 tonnes of aluminum from the
two aircraft, with all recycled materials processed locally. In
choosing to dismantle locally, Air Transat ensured better control of
environmental impacts and mitigated the hazardous materials management
risk. With this project, the company is also helping create expertise
in green recycling in Quebec, while supporting the local recycling
economy.
"Over the next 20 years, about 12,000 commercial aircraft will need to
be dismantled around the world," noted Ron Haber, President and CEO,
Aerocycle. "Quebec is already an aerospace hub, and our objective is to
make Montreal a centre of excellence for aircraft dismantling and
recycling. We are pleased to be working with partners like Air Transat,
Aéroports de Montréal, Aéro-Montréal, Québec's Aerospace Cluster, and
Eko-Conseil, which are so firmly committed to environmentally
responsible management of end-of-life aircraft," he concluded.
About Air Transat
Air Transat is Canada's leading holiday travel airline. Every year, it
carries some 3 million passengers to nearly 60 destinations in 25
countries aboard its fleet of Airbus wide-body jets. The company
employs approximately 2,000 people. Air Transat is a business unit of
Transat A.T. Inc., an integrated international tour operator with more
than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50
countries.
About Aerocycle
Aerocycle is a Canadian company specialized in aircraft dismantling and
recycling. Its team has more than 25 years' experience in safe,
environmentally responsible dismantling of end-of-life equipment.
Aerocycle partners with large corporations that are committed to
sustainable development, primarily airlines, aircraft fleet management
companies, and governments.
SOURCE Transat A.T. Inc.
