Article: A fuzzy ANP-based model for sustainable aircraft end-of-life planning: a case study of a mid-size regional airliner decommissioning Journal: International Journal of Sustainable Aviation (IJSA) 2025 Vol.11 No.3 pp.271 - 301 Abstract: The rising number of retired aircraft worldwide poses major economic, environmental, and social challenges. Selecting an optimal end-of-life (EoL) strategy is complex due to varying regional and situational factors. This study focuses on the disassembly of a mid-size passenger jet in Canada and highlights the importance of involving all key stakeholders - manufacturers, disassemblers, and post-disassembly partners - in the decision-making process. A fuzzy-based analytical network process (ANP) model is developed to support multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), addressing uncertainties and vagueness in stakeholder preferences. The model integrates sustainability criteria - environmental, economic, social, and technical - to evaluate potential EoL strategies. The application of this model in a real-world case demonstrates its ability to guide stakeholders toward selecting the most sustainable and feasible alternative. By balancing diverse objectives and constraints, this approach promotes effective collaboration and informed choices in the aircraft EoL process, ultimately benefiting the aviation industry, the environment, and broader society. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A fuzzy ANP-based model for sustainable aircraft end-of-life planning: a case study of a mid-size regional airliner decommissioning

Authors: Hamidreza Zahedi; Pierre Baptiste

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Canada ' Department of Industrial Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Canada

Abstract: The rising number of retired aircraft worldwide poses major economic, environmental, and social challenges. Selecting an optimal end-of-life (EoL) strategy is complex due to varying regional and situational factors. This study focuses on the disassembly of a mid-size passenger jet in Canada and highlights the importance of involving all key stakeholders - manufacturers, disassemblers, and post-disassembly partners - in the decision-making process. A fuzzy-based analytical network process (ANP) model is developed to support multi-criteria decision making (MCDM), addressing uncertainties and vagueness in stakeholder preferences. The model integrates sustainability criteria - environmental, economic, social, and technical - to evaluate potential EoL strategies. The application of this model in a real-world case demonstrates its ability to guide stakeholders toward selecting the most sustainable and feasible alternative. By balancing diverse objectives and constraints, this approach promotes effective collaboration and informed choices in the aircraft EoL process, ultimately benefiting the aviation industry, the environment, and broader society.

Keywords: aviation sustainability; aircraft end-of-life treatment; aircraft decommissioning; airframe EoL disassembly; resource conservation; fuzzy ANP.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSA.2025.148753

International Journal of Sustainable Aviation, 2025 Vol.11 No.3, pp.271 - 301

Received: 14 Jan 2025
Accepted: 07 May 2025
Published online: 22 Sep 2025 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article

Title: A fuzzy ANP-based model for sustainable aircraft end-of-life planning: a case study of a mid-size regional airliner decommissioning

Keep up-to-date