Unical Aviation
Unical Aviation is a US-based commercial aerospace aftermarket distributor supplying Used Serviceable Material, aircraft parts, repair and disassembly services to airlines, MROs and OEMs across more than 90 countries. Acquired by Satair (Airbus) in 2026, it operates an integrated USM, Part-145 repair, engine and aircraft teardown platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersGlendale, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Unical Aviation does
Unical Aviation is a commercial aerospace aftermarket distributor founded in 1990 that supplies new-surplus and Used Serviceable Material (USM) to airlines, MROs and OEMs across more than 90 countries. The company maintains roughly 90 million parts across over 1 million unique airframe and engine part numbers, concentrated at a 599,000 sq ft headquarters facility in Glendale, Arizona, and operates a global enterprise field sales team (20+ languages) with a 24/7/365 Aircraft-On-Ground (AOG) response desk and a B2B e-commerce eStore built on OroCommerce. Its product mix spans engine material, landing gear, nacelles, LRUs and a broad in-stock consumables and expendables (C&E) catalog, with exclusive distribution rights for Honeywell Smart Ram Air Door Actuators (SRADA) installed on Boeing 737NG and 737MAX fleets (over 20,000 units delivered).
Vertically beyond parts distribution, Unical runs a Part-145 repair station (Unical 145) with FAA, EASA and UK CAA certifications; an engine aftermarket business (Unical Engines) offering serviceable engine programs for CFM56-5B/7B, V2500-A5 and CF6-80C2 platforms; an MRO operation in San Bernardino, CA; and a defense parts subsidiary. Through its September 2024 acquisition of ecube Solutions — a UK- and EU-based aircraft storage and disassembly operator with AFRA Diamond accreditation — Unical added end-of-life aircraft dismantling and the industry's first dedicated A320neo fleet disassembly program, creating a closed-loop supply from aircraft retirement into USM inventory. Additional recurring-revenue service programs (Expendable Inventory Support Program / EISP, component exchange, leasing, kitting) and asset purchasing (whole airframes, engines, LRUs, surplus packages) round out the offering.
Unical generates revenue primarily through transactional hardware sales of USM parts and OEM products, supplemented by MRO/repair labor and parts markup, aircraft and engine asset purchasing/part-out (including ecube's disassembly), and a growing mix of recurring service programs (leasing, EISP, kitting, exchange). The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, the eStore for mid-market online buyers, exclusive OEM channel partnerships (Honeywell), and 24/7 AOG fulfilment. In May 2026 Satair, an Airbus company, completed its acquisition of Unical Aviation and ecube, folding them into a combined USM platform alongside VAS Aero Services and positioning the entity inside the Airbus aftermarket network.
Unical Aviation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Unical Aviation
- Legal name
- Unical Aviation Inc.
- Website
- http://www.unical.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Unical Aviation is a US-based commercial aerospace aftermarket distributor supplying Used Serviceable Material, aircraft parts, repair and disassembly services to airlines, MROs and OEMs across more than 90 countries. Acquired by Satair (Airbus) in 2026, it operates an integrated USM, Part-145 repair, engine and aircraft teardown platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Unical Aviation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace Aftermarket Parts Distribution
- NAICS
- Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Parts Distribution & Spares Management (Aftermarket) (IMABALAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Parts & Materials Support (Rotables Pooling, Distribution, Repair Management) (TLAKAJAK), Aviation MRO Parts & Consumables Distribution (TLAKAOAI), NDT/Inspection & Testing Services (Aviation) (IMABALAJ)
Keywords
Where Unical Aviation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glendale
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices11 records
Markets served
Unical Aviation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Aircraft Parts Distribution (New Surplus & USM): Sale of new surplus and Used Serviceable Material (USM) aircraft parts including engines, landing gear, nacelles, LRUs, and C&E material. One-time transactional sales with no recurring revenue from these product sales.
- Component Repair Services (MRO/145): FAA and EASA-certified repair station services for aircraft components including structures, landing gear, accessories, and nacelles. Revenue generated through repair labor and parts markup.
- Aircraft and Engine Asset Purchasing & Disassembly: Acquisition of whole aircraft, engines, and surplus packages for part-out and redistribution. Revenue derived from sale of disassembled components. Includes ecube's aircraft storage and disassembly operations.
- Exclusive Distribution (Honeywell SRADA): Exclusive distributorship rights for Honeywell Smart Ram Air Door Actuators (SRADA) for Boeing 737NG and 737MAX aircraft, generating revenue through component distribution.
- Service Programs (Kitting, Leasing, Consignment, Exchange): Programs including Expendable Inventory Support Program (EISP), component exchange, component leasing, and kitting services providing recurring and predictable revenue streams from established customer relationships.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | eStore Online Parts Purchase |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Quote / Enterprise Sales |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Component Exchange Program |
| Subscription | Monthly | Component Leasing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Unical Aviation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Unical Aviation is a commercial aerospace aftermarket distributor specializing in the supply of new surplus and Used Serviceable Material (USM) aircraft parts — approximately 90 million parts across more than 1 million unique part numbers — sold to airlines, MROs, and OEMs globally. The company operates a 24/7 AOG desk, an FAA/EASA Part 145 repair station (Unical 145), engine aftermarket services (Unical Engines), and through its ecube subsidiary provides aircraft storage, disassembly, and transition services including the industry's first dedicated A320neo fleet disassembly program.
Product overview
Unical Aviation is a global commercial aerospace aftermarket company founded in 1990, offering a vertically integrated portfolio of products and services spanning the full aircraft lifecycle. The core offering is Used Serviceable Material (USM) — approximately 90 million parts across over 1 million unique part numbers — distributed via its B2B eStore (powered by ILS/OroCommerce) and direct sales. This is supported by ecube (aircraft storage, disassembly, and transition services), Unical Engines (commercial engine aftermarket solutions), and Unical 145 (FAA/EASA Part 145 repair station for component MRO). Additional services include AOG 24/7 support, component exchange, leasing, kitting, EISP, and asset purchasing. Unical also holds an exclusive distributorship for Honeywell SRADA actuators. As of May 2026, Unical and ecube were acquired by Satair (an Airbus company).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Unical 145: FAA and EASA-certified Part 145 repair station providing maintenance, repair and overhaul of airframe and accessory components including structures, composites, landing gear, nacelles, and NDT capabilities, located in Glendale, Arizona.
- Unical MRO
- Unical Engines
- Unical AOG
- ecube
Products and services
- USM Parts (Used Serviceable Material)
- Unical eStore
- ecube (Aircraft Storage, Disassembly & Transition Services)
- Unical Engines (Serviceable Engine Program)
- Unical 145 (FAA/EASA Part 145 Repair Station)
- Aircraft On Ground (AOG) Services
- Honeywell SRADA Distribution (Smart Ram Air Door Actuators)
- Component Exchange Program
- Component Leasing Program
- Expendable Inventory Support Program (EISP)
- Kitting Program
- Asset Purchasing (Airframes, Engines, LRUs & Packages)
Quantifiable outcome
- First dedicated A320neo fleet disassembly program in the industry
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Unical Aviation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Unical Aviation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature3 records
Unical Aviation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and important.
- Block AerostrategicPartnership with Block Aero to register the next 100 aircraft disassembly projects under the AFRA-CAAC (Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association - Civil Aviation Administration of China) program using Block Aero's blockchain-powered Registry-as-a-Service solution. This initiative provides comprehensive digital product passports for every part, ensuring irrefutable provenance and compliance with CAAC regulations.
- Honeywell Aerospace TechnologiescoreUnical awarded exclusive distributorship for Honeywell's Smart Ram Air Door Actuators (SRADA), specifically part numbers 67600014-1 and 67600046-1 for Boeing 737NG and 737MAX aircraft. Over 20,000 combined units have been delivered across these fleets. This exclusive arrangement strengthens Unical's position as the go-to source for cost-effective 737 maintenance solutions.
- Honeywell Aerospace TechnologiesimportantUnical Aviation was named a strategic channel partner and authorized distributor for Honeywell Aerospace Technologies' extensive range of aerospace products. The partnership leverages Unical's extensive distribution network to provide Honeywell products to commercial aviation customers worldwide, focusing on optimizing inventory availability and enhanced support for airlines and MROs.
- B&H WorldwideimportantB&H Worldwide, a leading aerospace logistics provider established in 1988, provides Unical with comprehensive inventory management and freight forwarding services on a global scale. The two-year agreement includes warehousing near London's Heathrow Airport for streamlined European parts distribution, with dedicated personnel acting as a communication bridge between Unical and B&H's global network.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Unical Aviation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- HEICO Corporation: HEICO is a publicly traded aerospace and electronics company with FAA-approved PMA parts manufacturing, aftermarket component repair, and parts distribution. Comparable as a broader aftermarket incumbent with significant USM-adjacent component repair and distribution activities.
- AAR CORP: AAR is a publicly traded aerospace aftermarket services company offering parts distribution, MRO, and integrated supply chain solutions. Comparable as a broader incumbent with overlapping parts distribution, repair, and supply programs serving airlines and governments worldwide.
- Satair: Satair is the Airbus-owned aerospace spare parts distribution and MRO services company that acquired Unical in 2026. Compares as a broad incumbent in aircraft parts distribution with a global integrated supply chain; now functions as Unical's parent rather than a pure competitor.
Direct peers
- Wencor Group: Wencor is a USM parts distributor and MRO provider focused on aircraft components, distribution, and repair services. Directly comparable as an independent USM and component repair peer serving commercial operators and MROs.
- VAS Aero Services: VAS Aero Services is a USM parts distributor and engine aftermarket specialist that is now a sister company under Satair following the May 2026 closing. Directly comparable as a USM distributor serving airlines, MROs, and OEMs with overlapping product categories and now overlapping ownership.
- GA Telesis: GA Telesis is one of the largest independent USM parts distributors globally, with comparable offerings in aircraft components, engine materials, and component repair. Directly competes with Unical in USM distribution for commercial airlines and MROs, including overlapping senior leadership alumni.
- Magellan Aviation Group: Magellan Aviation is an aftermarket services provider specializing in aircraft parts distribution and engine leasing. Directly comparable as a parts distribution peer serving airlines, MROs, and OEMs with USM and asset management services.
- AerSale, Inc. AerSale is a USM parts distributor and MRO provider operating in used serviceable material, component repair, and engine aftermarket. Directly comparable as a publicly listed peer in commercial aerospace aftermarket with overlapping customer base across airlines, lessors, and MROs.
Others
- Honeywell Aerospace Technologies: Honeywell is a major OEM that is also a strategic channel partner and supplier of Unical's exclusive SRADA distributorship. Comparable as an adjacent OEM and ecosystem participant whose products flow through Unical's distribution channel.
Emerging players
- StandardAero: StandardAero is an independent MRO services provider with growing engine and component aftermarket capabilities. Partially comparable as an emerging aftermarket player intersecting Unical's engine (CFM56, CF6) and component repair (Unical 145) businesses.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Unical Aviation social profiles
Digital presenceUnical Aviation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Unical Aviation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Unical Aviation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Unical Aviation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Unical Aviation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Unical Aviation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Unical Aviation
What does Unical Aviation do?
Unical Aviation is a commercial aerospace aftermarket distributor specializing in the supply of new surplus and Used Serviceable Material (USM) aircraft parts — approximately 90 million parts across more than 1 million unique part numbers — sold to airlines, MROs, and OEMs globally. The company operates a 24/7 AOG desk, an FAA/EASA Part 145 repair station (Unical 145), engine aftermarket services (Unical Engines), and through its ecube subsidiary provides aircraft storage, disassembly, and transition services including the industry's first dedicated A320neo fleet disassembly program.
Is Unical Aviation a public or private company?
Unical Aviation is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Unical Aviation founded?
Unical Aviation was founded in 1989. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Unical Aviation based?
Unical Aviation is headquartered in Glendale, United States, in the North America region.
How does Unical Aviation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Aircraft Parts Distribution (New Surplus & USM) is the primary driver. The others are component Repair Services (MRO/145), aircraft and Engine Asset Purchasing & Disassembly, exclusive Distribution (Honeywell SRADA) and service Programs (Kitting, Leasing, Consignment, Exchange).
Who are Unical Aviation's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are HEICO Corporation, AAR CORP and Satair. Direct peers are Wencor Group, VAS Aero Services, GA Telesis, Magellan Aviation Group and AerSale, Inc.. Honeywell Aerospace Technologies is listed as an others. StandardAero is listed as an emerging player.
Does Unical Aviation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Unical Aviation.
What industry is Unical Aviation in?
Unical Aviation's product category is Aerospace Aftermarket Parts Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABALAK, Parts Distribution & Spares Management (Aftermarket), with a secondary code of TLAKAJAK, Parts & Materials Support (Rotables Pooling, Distribution, Repair Management). Its NAICS code is 336413 and its SIC code is 3728.