Acquisition
EirTrade and RESIDCO Acquire Two Spirit A320neo Jets for Parts Teardown
•February 16, 2026
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Why It Matters
The transaction boosts aftermarket supply of high‑quality A320neo parts, helping airlines control maintenance costs while Spirit trims its balance sheet during restructuring.
Key Takeaways
- •Two young A320neos slated for part disassembly.
- •EirTrade partners with RESIDCO to acquire jets.
- •Over 4,400 A320neos in service drive parts demand.
- •Spirit trims fleet amid bankruptcy restructuring.
- •Repaired rotables to hit market Q1 2026.
Pulse Analysis
The Airbus A320neo has become the workhorse of low‑cost carriers worldwide, with more than 4,400 aircraft already in service and another 7,200 on order. This unprecedented scale creates a continuous need for high‑quality rotables, especially as airlines extend the service life of their fleets through heavy maintenance checks. As the A320neo platform ages, the aftermarket for engines, landing‑gear and cabin components expands, making part‑out operations a lucrative niche for specialized traders. Consequently, aftermarket suppliers that can guarantee airworthiness certifications are commanding premium prices, while airlines increasingly prefer certified rotables over new parts to control operating costs.
EirTrade’s acquisition of two barely four‑year‑old A320neos, in partnership with RESIDCO, underscores a shift toward sourcing newer airframes for part‑out programs. By targeting aircraft that still meet the latest modification standards, the firm can offer rotables that align with airline maintenance schedules, reducing lead times and warranty concerns. The inclusion of in‑demand PW1100 engine LRUs and BFE components further strengthens its inventory, positioning EirTrade to meet the surge in USM demand across North and South America. The disassembly scheduled for Goodyear, Arizona, will funnel repaired components to EirTrade’s Dallas hub, with full market availability expected by the end of Q1 2026.
For Spirit Airlines, the sale is part of a broader asset‑light strategy aimed at trimming debt and stabilizing operations under its 2025 bankruptcy protection. Monetizing relatively new aircraft provides immediate cash while reducing ongoing lease and maintenance obligations. Industry observers see this trend echoing across other ultra‑low‑cost carriers, where part‑out and lease‑return transactions become essential tools for financial restructuring and fleet optimization. Analysts predict that continued fleet rationalization will swell the supply of serviceable parts, potentially easing price pressures and supporting the next wave of A320neo deliveries.
Deal Summary
EirTrade, an Irish aviation asset management firm, announced it has acquired two Airbus A320neo aircraft previously owned by Spirit, in partnership with Chicago‑based lessor RESIDCO. The aircraft will be dismantled in Goodyear, Arizona, with parts shipped to EirTrade’s Dallas hub to meet AOG demand across the Americas. The deal, disclosed on 16 February 2026, has no disclosed financial terms.
Article
Source: AirlineGeeks
A pair of Airbus A320neo aircraft formerly owned by ultra‑low‑cost carrier Spirit are set for teardown
Irish aviation asset management and trading firm EirTrade said Monday that it acquired the two aircraft in partnership with Chicago‑based aviation and rail lessor RESIDCO.
The jets, at four and three‑and‑a‑half years old, are the youngest A320neo airframes ever to be scrapped for parts, according to EirTrade officials.
Disassembly will take place in Goodyear, Arizona, and all parts will go to the company’s hub in Dallas to support aircraft‑on‑ground requests from across North and South America.
“We are focused on newer vintage aircraft to ensure that our inventory contains the highest quality rotables which ensure that our customers can be supported with the latest modification standard components,” said Bill Thompson, vice president of origination and trading for the Americas at EirTrade, in a news release. “We have also acquired four sets of in‑demand LRU and BFE components from the PW1100 engine type within this significant transaction.”
EirTrade estimated that there are over 4,400 A320neos in commercial service and another 7,200 on order, creating substantial demand for parts. This figure excludes an in‑service fleet of about 6,500 A320ceos, which use many of the same components.
“Given the size of the fleet and Airbus orderbook, this platform will remain the largest segment of the global commercial fleet with demand for USM increasing accordingly,” Thompson added.
EirTrade said that all parts from the aircraft will be repaired and made available for the market by the end of the first quarter.
Spirit has been selling off aircraft as it works to shrink its fleet and reduce costs. The carrier has been under bankruptcy protection since August 2025.
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