This Is Where American Airlines MD-80s Retire

The Roswell International Air Center serves as a “boneyard” to many retired aircraft.

As American Airlines’ retiring MD-80 fleet is slowly replaced, the aging aircraft find new life at the Roswell International Air Center, where they may become a replacement part for a currently operating aircraft. Granting a behind-the-scenes look to USA Today, the enigmatic Roswell “boneyard” is where many common commercial aircraft go to rest out the remainder of their days.

The Roswell “boneyard” is one of over ten aircraft storage facilities across the United States, where airlines will either store excess aircraft, or retire old aircraft destined to become parts for currently operating aircraft. In 2015, Boeing stored two unfinished 787 Dreamliners at a Mojave Desert facility while waiting for first class seats to be finished. Unlike other facilities, the majority of the aircraft at Roswell are there for permanent storage.

The area is ideal for long-term aircraft storage due to the high heat and low humidity. Throughout the year, the average humidity fluctuates between four and eight percent, creating the best conditions to preserve the aircraft.

Once the aircraft are permanently parked at the facility, workers begin the decommissioning process. Some aircraft are retrofitted for use as cargo aircraft, while others are rebuilt for use in developing parts of the world. The remaining aircraft are stripped for parts, which will ultimately be used as replacements for currently operational flights. Although retired American MD-80s are the primary tenant, other aircraft that can be found at the Roswell facility include retired Boeing 757s, 767s, 777s and an Airbus A300.

“We store them so we can use the material for the fleet,” Paul Bahle, American’s manager of aircraft disposition, told USA Today. “To keep the fleet flying.”

Although the facility is popular among aviation enthusiasts, the facility is closed to the public.

[Photo: Jeremy Dwyer-Lindgren, USA TODAY]