Avianca El Salvador Takes Bold Step Toward Sustainability with A380 Upcycling Partnership

San Salvador, El Salvador – March 17, 2025 — In a bold move toward sustainable aviation practices, Avianca El Salvador, formerly known as TACA Airlines, has awarded a groundbreaking A380 upcycling contract to the Avian Craft Recycling Company. The agreement will see the airline’s retired Airbus A380 aircraft transformed into repurposed, environmentally friendly products by Avian Craft’s expert team—making it one of the largest aircraft sustainability projects in Latin America to date.

The initiative underscores the airline’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship and creative reuse of decommissioned assets.

“Today marks an important milestone in the history of Avianca El Salvador,” said the Chairman of Avianca El Salvador during the official signing ceremony held in San Salvador. “As we continue to modernize our fleet and operations, we are also redefining our role in building a sustainable future for aviation in Latin America.”

Originally designed for ultra-long-haul travel, the A380 has become increasingly obsolete in modern fleets, but Avianca El Salvador is determined to ensure these aircraft are not merely discarded.

“By partnering with Avian Craft Recycling Company, we ensure that the legacy of our Airbus A380s does not end in a scrapyard—but continues to live on through reinvention and purpose,” the chairman added. “This is more than a contract. It is a commitment—to the environment, to innovation, and to our shared responsibility as a global airline.”

The project will begin with the dismantling of the first A380 in Q4 2025. Components will be repurposed into aviation memorabilia, bespoke furniture, industrial parts, and sustainable design materials—ensuring that nearly every element of the aircraft finds new life.

The recycling will be handled at Avian Craft’s advanced facility, where cutting-edge techniques allow for low-waste, high-yield upcycling of aircraft materials.

“I am truly honored to be here today alongside the leadership of Avianca El Salvador, as we embark on this bold and visionary project together,” said Robert Erik Schmich, President of Avian Craft Recycling Company.

“At Avian Craft, we believe that every aircraft has a story—and that story doesn’t have to end with its last flight. Through innovative upcycling, we turn history into heritage, and waste into wonder.”

The partnership is expected to deliver both environmental and economic benefits—reducing landfill impact while creating value-added products and skilled jobs.

“This partnership sets a precedent not only in Latin America but across the globe. We are proud to work with an airline that understands the importance of environmental stewardship and is willing to lead by example,” Schmich continued. “We look forward to transforming these magnificent aircraft into something lasting, meaningful—and sustainable.”

As airlines around the world face pressure to decarbonize and reduce operational waste, Avianca El Salvador’s partnership with Avian Craft positions it as a regional leader in responsible fleet management.

Both companies emphasized that this project is just the beginning of a broader commitment to sustainability.

“Together, we will show that sustainability and aviation can fly in perfect alignment,” the Avianca El Salvador chairman concluded.