The data on the number of stored aircraft is staggering. As of March 25th, aviation data analysts Cirium are reporting over 6,600 stored aircraft, with the numbers continuing to grow.
The number of stored aircraft
6,639 aircraft are currently stored. Although, this number is expected to grow as airlines wind down operations even further. The volatility of the current situation means the numbers are changing every day.
Currently, there 2,542 Boeing aircraft stored. 1,671 are narrowbody aircraft and 871 are widebodies. Here is the breakdown by type:
- 45 717s
- 6 727s
- 383 737 MAX (although these are still facing a global grounding)
- 1087 737s (including the -200, Classic models, and Next Generation types)
- 108 747s
- 150 757s
- 154 767s
- 376 777s
- 233 787s
There are 2,608 parked Airbus aircraft. 1,837 of these are narrowbody aircraft. Meanwhile, 771 are widebodies.
- 33 Airbus A220s
- 11 A300s
- 8 A310s
- 23 A318s
- 338 A319s
- 948 A320s
- 112 A320neos
- 325 A321s
- 58 A321neos
- 467 A330s
- 18 A330neos
- 117 A340s
- 66 A350s
- 84 A380s
A decline in flight hours
Cirium also tracked flight data for aircraft that are in service. For example, on Monday, March 23rd, Airbus A330s around the world operated just under 600 flights using 300 aircraft. This is about a total of 3,000 flight hours. Compared to March 16th, this was a 50% decline. However, in comparison to March 25th, 2019 (one year ago), the numbers from 2020 show a whopping 70% decline in the number of active aircraft and a massive 80% reduction in daily hours and cycles.
Not to be left out, the Boeing 777 also saw some unfortunate numbers. Comparing March 22nd to March 15th, the 777's total number of hours and flight cycles declined by about one-third. Combined, there were 1,200 fewer flight cycles and a reduction of 8,000 flight hours between the two dates. On the 22nd, there were fewer than 700 777s flying.
Where are airlines storing these aircraft?
The airline industry is in uncharted territory with so many airlines seeking a place for so many stored aircraft. As a result, both airlines and airports are getting creative. A number of major airports, including Hartsfield Jackson in Atlanta and Paris Charles de Gaulle, are closing runways to store aircraft. Meanwhile, other airlines are using closed airports to store aircraft. And, there are some airports with additional apron and storage space where airlines can temporarily park planes.
Overall
The number of parked aircraft around the world will continue to rise. Airlines are anticipating offering fewer and fewer flights as people are staying home and governments are adding travel restrictions. On March 25th, over 6,600 aircraft around the world were stored.
What do you make of these staggering numbers? Let us know in the comments!