AELS

What AELS does

AELS (Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions BV) is a Netherlands-based, privately held industrial services company that operates the full supply chain for commercial aircraft retirement. Founded in 2006 by Derk-Jan van Heerden and headquartered at Twente Airport in Enschede, with a secondary office in Rotterdam, AELS purchases end-of-life narrowbody and widebody aircraft (A320 family, A330, A340, B737, B747, B757, B767, B777) from airlines and lessors, disassembles them at its own facility using in-house mechanics, recertifies the recovered parts through partners such as Lufthansa Technik, AAR, Spectrum, Aerospace, and EPCOR, and sells more than 10,000 SKUs globally to airlines, MROs, and simulator companies. Revenue is generated from the spread between aircraft acquisition cost and the combined value of parts resale (As Removed, Serviceable, Overhauled, Repaired conditions, with dual EASA Form 1/FAA 8130 release), engine disposition, and material recycling — the latter accounting for over one million kilograms of recycled feedstock to date.

AELS is differentiated primarily by its vertically integrated model, AFRA KPI-Level Diamond accreditation, AS9120B/ISO 9001:2015 quality certification, ASA-100 accreditation, and Dutch VIHB waste-handling registration, which together enable it to serve institutional buyers that sub-scale competitors cannot reach. The business operates a direct sales-led motion with dedicated account managers handling regional portfolios, complemented by a request-for-quotation website offering same-day shipping and same-day warranty claim settlement. Cockpit cut-outs extend the addressable market into the flight simulator vertical, while participation in SUSTAINair, RecAL (Horizon Europe), COMPASS, and the Aethos Foundation embeds the firm in the EU circular-aviation R&D ecosystem. The company is founder-led at the board level but transitioned CEO duties from Derk-Jan van Heerden to Johan Vlastuin in September 2023; no external investors or funding rounds are disclosed beyond an early YES!Delft grant.

Name

AELS

Legal name

Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions BV

Website

https://aels.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AELS is a Netherlands-based, privately held aircraft end-of-life solutions provider that buys decommissioned commercial aircraft, disassembles them at its Twente Airport facility, recertifies components, and sells more than 10,000 certified parts and recycled materials to airlines, MROs, and simulator companies globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aircraft End-of-Life Services

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Recycling, Dismantling & Parts Recovery (TLABAKAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Dismantling & Depollution (Fluids, Batteries, Airbags) (EUAIAJAC), Avionics & Electronics Repair (Bench Repair) (IMABALAE)

Keywords

• Aircraft end-of-life
• Aircraft disassembly services
• Aircraft parts distribution
• Aircraft recycling
• Circular aviation solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Enschede

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Aircraft Parts Sales: AELS generates revenue primarily by purchasing end-of-life aircraft, disassembling them at their own facility, and selling the recovered parts. They sell parts in various conditions: as removed (AR), overhauled (OH), serviceable (SV), and repaired (RP). Serviceable parts are sent to carefully selected repair shops for recertification before sale.
2. Aircraft Acquisition and Disassembly Services: The company purchases end-of-life aircraft from airlines and lessors, providing them with hassle-free disposal solutions. Revenue comes from the margin between aircraft purchase price and the total value recovered from parts, materials, and recycling.
3. Material Recycling: Materials that cannot be reused are recycled and converted into raw materials for other industries. This represents an additional revenue stream from materials recovery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

AELS purchases end-of-life commercial aircraft from airlines and lessors, disassembles them at its own Twente Airport facility in Enschede, and sells the recovered aircraft parts in as-removed, overhauled, serviceable, and repaired conditions with full traceability and certification (EASA Form 1 / FAA 8130). The company also recycles residual materials into raw inputs for other industries, handling the entire supply chain from aircraft purchase and landing to parts sales and material recycling.

Product overview

AELS (Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions) operates as a single integrated platform offering complete aircraft end-of-life management services. The core service combines three interconnected offerings: (1) Aircraft Purchasing - buying end-of-life aircraft from airlines and lessors; (2) Aircraft Disassembly & Dismantling - professional decommissioning at their Twente Airport facility; and (3) Aircraft Parts Sales - selling over 10,000 certified parts from disassembled A320 family, A330, A340, Boeing 737, and Boeing 777 aircraft. Parts are sold in multiple conditions (as removed, overhauled, serviceable, repaired) with full traceability, complete paperwork, and warranty. The portfolio includes 28+ specific aircraft part categories ranging from engines, avionics, landing gears, hydraulics, nacelles, to cabin interiors and emergency equipment. Add-on services include warranty management and sustainable circularity/recycling solutions that convert materials into raw materials for other industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aircraft End-of-Life Solutions Complete end-of-life solution for commercial aircraft. AELS purchases end-of-life narrow-body and wide-body aircraft (Airbus A320 family, A330, A340; Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, 777) from airlines and lessors, handles all legal and financial aspects of the transaction, disassembles the aircraft at the Twente Airport facility, and recovers value through parts sales and material recycling.
• Aircraft Parts Sales Sale of more than 10,000 aircraft parts in stock, including APU, wheels, brakes, landing gears, avionics, hydraulics, nacelles, thrust reversers, cockpit sections, cargo systems, cabin interior, and emergency equipment. Parts are sold in four conditions (As Removed, Overhauled, Serviceable, Repaired), with full traceability, complete paperwork, dual release certification (EASA Form 1/FAA 8130) on premium tiers, and 6-12 months warranty. Same-day shipping and same-day warranty claims settlement available.
• Aircraft Disassembly and Dismantling Professional aircraft disassembly and dismantling services performed at AELS' dedicated facility at Technology Base Twente Airport. Services are AFRA accredited and include environmentally safe handling of hazardous materials, with an in-house cut out team for cockpits and cabin sections.
• Aircraft Purchasing / Buy Back Purchase of end-of-life aircraft from airlines and lessors. AELS buys Airbus A320 family, A330, A340, and Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767 and 777 aircraft. The company offers competitive pricing, owns its own funding and financing for quick transactions, and handles all legal and financial aspects of the handover process.
• Sustainable Circularity and Material Recycling Material recycling service for aircraft components that cannot be reused. AELS has recycled over 1 million kilos of material, converting waste into raw materials for other industries. The service also supports innovative reuse for training and safety purposes, including cockpits and cabin sections for pilot training, crew simulations, safety drills, and SWAT training. Supports customers' ESG objectives.

Named customers34 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• SUSTAINaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSUSTAINair provides the aviation sector with pathways to a more cost-effective, low-carbon economy while tackling increasing resource consumption, waste, and emissions. Within the project, AELS is the key supplier of feed stock for research. Materials provided have been tested and converted into new ideas for circular economy solutions.
• RecALcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecAL is a Horizon Europe project aiming to upgrade Europe's handling of aluminium supply and metals marketplace. The innovative solutions reduce the carbon footprint of aluminium production by enabling use of secondary resources and improving continental self-sufficiency. AELS and other partners strive to create a more sustainable future and reduce environmental impact of aluminium production.
• COMPASScoreTechnology or IntegrationThe COMPASS project develops digital technology to revolutionize remanufacturing of sheet metal and thermoplastic composites. This enables significant reuse of material waste for production of high-quality components, promoting circular economy in aviation, aerospace, and automotive industries. AELS facilitates research, innovations, and new developments, providing a platform for tests and demonstrators while advising on feasibility of proposed solutions.
• Aethos FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Aethos Foundation has a visionary goal to further improve recycling of aircraft materials. AELS became a friend of Aethos because its mission is to make aviation more circular by fully recycling end-of-life aircraft materials. This partnership allows AELS to take further steps in aircraft material recycling processes. Founder Derk-Jan van Heerden started the foundation to encourage material reuse in the aviation sector.
• Lufthansa TechnikminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHigh-quality repair shop partner used by AELS to repair and overhaul aircraft parts including APU, wheels, and other components. Ensures parts meet the highest quality standards before being offered as serviceable or overhauled.
• AARminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAAR is one of the high-quality repair shop partners used by AELS to repair and overhaul aircraft parts. Provides recertification and testing services for parts returned to service.
• SpectrumminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHigh-quality repair shop partner used by AELS for aircraft part repairs and overhauls.
• AerospaceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHigh-quality repair shop partner used by AELS for aircraft part repairs and overhauls.
• EPCORminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHigh-quality repair shop partner used by AELS for aircraft part repairs and overhauls.
• KLMmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor airline partner with established relationship in circular economy aircraft recycling initiatives.
• LufthansamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor airline partner with established relationship in circular economy aircraft recycling initiatives.
• TNTmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAviation industry partner with established relationship in circular economy aircraft recycling initiatives.
• IberiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor airline partner with established relationship in circular economy aircraft recycling initiatives.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Tarmac Aerosave: Tarmac Aerosave is a direct competitor based in France with similar end-of-life aircraft dismantling and storage services at Tarbes, Toulouse, and Teruel. Operates the same aircraft retirement model and is a fellow AFRA-accredited teardown specialist targeting A320, A330, A340, and 737 fleets.
• GA Telesis: GA Telesis is a US-based aerospace firm with a significant used serviceable material (USM) parts distribution business alongside component repair, teardown, and leasing. Comparable business model of monetizing end-of-life airframes into certified spare parts for global airlines.
• Vallair: Luxembourg-headquartered Vallair acquires, stores, dismantles, and converts aircraft (including A320 and 737 families) into cargo freighters, with parts sales to airlines and MROs. Direct peer in European aircraft end-of-life and USM distribution.
• AerFin: AerFin specializes in end-of-life aircraft acquisition, component pooling, and USM distribution focused on CFM56 and 737 platforms. Directly comparable in teardown-led USM distribution and airline customer overlap.
• VAS Aero Services: VAS Aero Services distributes used serviceable aircraft parts and rotables globally with strong EASA/FAA documentation. Comparable model of distributing certified aircraft parts to airlines and MROs, with overlap in narrowbody and widebody platforms.
• AJ Walter Aviation: AJ Walter is a UK-based distributor of aircraft spares and components with strong USM sourcing and rotables management. Comparable as a non-OEM aircraft parts distributor serving airlines and MROs.
• Magellan Aviation Group: Magellan Aviation Group distributes aircraft spare parts and provides teardown services, particularly for 737 and A320 platforms. Comparable USM parts supplier with end-of-life sourcing capability.
• ComAv Asset Management: ComAv acquires end-of-life airliners and disassembles them for parts distribution, primarily for Boeing platforms. Direct peer in airframe teardown and USM sales.

Others

• AFRA (Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association): AFRA is the industry body whose Best Management Practices accreditation governs responsible aircraft recycling. AELS is an AFRA Diamond member; relevant as the standards-setting peer body defining competitive accreditation.

Broad incumbents

• Lufthansa Technik: Lufthansa Technik is a major MRO and aircraft component services provider that is both an AELS customer/lessor relationship and a key AELS repair partner. Comparable at the MRO/parts distribution layer though broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AELSnews

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AELS