Despite recovery, one jetliner in 10 is in ‘desert air force’
About one jetliner in 10 sits in storage, awaiting either permanent retirement or a change in economic or competitive conditions that warrants a return to

About one jetliner in 10 sits in storage, awaiting either permanent retirement or a change in economic or competitive conditions that warrants a return to service. Despite the airline market’s recovery in the past 12 to 18 months, the number of inactive aircraft has stayed essentially stable since soon after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. just over four years ago.