Spirit’s 3- and 4-Year-Old A320neos Dismantled for Parts
Two Airbus A320neo aircraft belonging to Spirit Airlines have been sent for teardown in a rare move for modern commercial aviation. EirTrade Aviation and RESIDCO plan to dismantle the three- and four-year-old jets in Goodyear, Arizona, to recover components for inventory. The two airframes are now recorded as the youngest A320neos ever parted out.
The aircraft involved are registered N950NK (MSN 10769) and N959NK (MSN 10921). The primary driver behind the decision is the critical supply shortage affecting the Pratt & Whitney GTF engines used on these aircraft, along with related spare parts. Ongoing delays in engine and component availability have increased the risk of additional aircraft being grounded, prompting some lessors to opt for early-life part-outs. Under current market conditions, the total value of the recoverable components is reported to exceed the market value of the complete aircraft.
A similar case occurred in 2025 when TUI dismantled its 12-year-old Boeing 787 Dreamliner, registered G-TUID, at Cotswold Airport in Kemble, United Kingdom. In that instance as well, high-demand engines and parts were considered more valuable in addressing global supply chain gaps than keeping the aircraft in service.
📸: Spirit Airlines
