Aftermarket aviation parts supplier Aventure Aviation has acquired twelve Boeing 737-900 aircraft formerly operated by Alaska Airlines, with plans to dismantle them for parts.
The purchase, finalized on June 24, represents the largest single aircraft transaction in the company’s 24-year history.
The aircraft will be disassembled in Arizona, with parts to be relocated to a new warehouse near Atlanta. The facility, which the company says is five times larger than its previous location, is intended to support the expected growth in demand for 737 NG components.
The twelve aircraft— manufacturer serial numbers (MSN) 30013 through 30019, 30021, 30856, 30857, 33679, and 33680 — were all delivered new to Alaska in the early 2000s and remained with the carrier throughout their operational lives. They have an average age of 23 years.
“Each aircraft was owned and operated solely by Alaska Airlines for its entire life cycle. This provides a well-documented service record from one of the world’s leading airlines, enhancing both traceability and component reliability,” said Talha Faruqi, president of Aventure Aviation, in a news release.
Alaska became the launch customer of the Boeing 737-900 in 2001 and operated 12 of the base variant before transitioning to the higher-capacity, longer-range 737-900ER. The airline began phasing out the non-ER models in mid-2024, with the final passenger flight of the variant planned by the end of 2025.
A Rare Breed
At the time of writing, three Alaska 737-900s remain in active service. The remaining 737-900ERs continue to fly across the airline’s network.
The 737-900s are a rather rare variant with only 32 in service around the world, according to Cirium Fleet Analyzer data.
The teardown of the retired 737-900s is expected to yield high-demand components such as landing gear, avionics, auxiliary power units, thrust reversers, and control surfaces. These parts are used by a large global customer base operating the 737 NG family, which includes the 737-600, -700, -800, and -900 models.
Though Boeing has shifted production to the 737 MAX line, the 737 NG remains one of the most widely operated narrowbody aircraft types in the world. With many operators delaying aircraft replacements amid supply chain constraints and certification delays for newer models, the market for used, serviceable material (USM) from NG teardowns has seen renewed interest.
