Inside Europe's Biggest Airplane Graveyard

What is happening inside Europe’s largest aircraft storage site? I visited Teruel, Spain to find out more from Tarmac Aerosave.
During the peak of the Pandemic, there were about over 150 widebodies stored in Teruel making it the largest aircraft storage site in Europe. Most of them are A340, A380, Boeing 747 and B777 wide-body aircraft.
As travel demand returned, there was a shortage of airplane flying. More and more airplanes are leaving the storage and flying back in the sky for a second life! Staff from Tarmac Aerosave showed me how to re-activate an Airbus A380. After completing 5,000 hours of check and maintenance, the Etihad Airways A380 is ready to leave storage and return to service.
Next, I visited an A330 with components and parts removed from the airplane. The airplane is being recycled. The Tarmac team showed me how they remove parts and document it before sending it to the owner. Up to 94% of the airplane can be recycled within 12 weeks. It is interesting to see an array of activities in Europe’s biggest aircraft storage site.

[@osasunaitor]

For those who don't know, Teruel is one of the least populated and most remote provinces in Spain, a forgotten place where young people always had trouble finding a stable future and had to emigrate to more prosperous areas. That's why this facility has become a big source of income (more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs) and pride for the region, and you can feel it in the employees' passion for their job.

[@ncarnaiz]

As a Spaniard I'm so proud to have this company located in Spanish soil. Thanks Sam for sharing this experience ❤

[@davemellor4697]

Spain at the top of there game in everything right now...FOOTBALL TENNIS PLANES HOLIDAYS......

[@Cocoistaken]

Same man

[@GerGV]

@@davemellor4697 Many people don't know this, but the aerospace industry has always been a significant part of Spain's industrial sector (9,3% of Spain's industrial GDP). Airbus, for instance, was formed through the merger of four European aerospace companies, one of which was the Spanish company CASA (Construcciones Aeronáuticas S.A.). CASA had its own line of airplanes, and several key Airbus Group factories are located in Spain (Getafe, Illescas, Seville...), including the assembly line for the Airbus A400M Atlas (in Seville).

[@dr.jiIIaIicecooper2587]

​@@davemellor4697 And they're on top of their game bringing "refugees" too LMAO

[@LondonLite02]

I don't know why but everything about this video is extremely wholesome! Everyone at this site seems to take such pride in their work.

[@slypear]

Glad you pointed this out! Everyone was really eager to explain their roles to Sam well - and with such enthusiasm.

[@Nooticus]

Agreed

[@ping-dq5qo]

great video Sam! but when we can get 4K =-=

[@dr.jiIIaIicecooper2587]

Until they turn off cameras and the whining about everything starts😂

[@r123154]

They all have " The Bug ". I have had it all of my life and I'm 70 y/o . I worked for over 20 years in aviation and it went by like it was a few days . All my time since i had to retire has been more or less volunteer time , That allows me to do what i love . Great video. I hope i can see the A - 380 one day. To realize it's size from just a video tells me it's very very large when seeing it live in person. I love seeing these folks doing the job they love . All i can say. to them is hang on because the airplane is not the only thing that flies , time does also . Thank you for what you do. It makes a lot of difference. Your profession is what makes flying safe as it is.

[@Athandatu]

Great work. As a Spaniard, I’m also impressed by how eloquent the lady was in English. Spaniards are not particularly great with English, yet, she showed great mastery of the language to cover some rather complicated topics. Loved it.

[@Anolbea]

There are many 2nd generation Spanish in the UK that speak the two languages very well. Some are UK/Spain dual nationals.

[@Citricut2]

Younger generations are much better at English than we were (I’m from the 80s). That was preventing us from being a strong IT hub for example and this has now completely changed. I’m very happy that skilled young guys now have better opportunities than in the past.

[@GamingWithMaddog64]

Not to mention how cute she was 😂

[@JakeSully4711]

Sam's English is just horrible! It's somewhere between a hot potato in his mouth and a frog.

[@billjohn3287]

Special thanks to all engineers , technicians, and maintenance ,.. you make airplane travel possible.. thank you again

[@peterwaugh9416]

Imagine being an airline executive. Yeah take our $200mil A380 & park it somewhere, we might use it again one day. I have trouble throwing out an old T shirt.

[@furry_homunculus]

Airlines like Lufthansa did initially not even intend to return their A380s into flying service at all. Now they have at least brought back a few of them. Mostly because the 777X is delayed.

[@lemedico]

200?more like 400

[@d.b.cooper1]

@@lemedico Not really, on the balance sheet right now without engines most are well below $100m, heck Emirates have some they took off their lessors for like $20m. Depreciation mate

[@yotamamit9945]

Undress dharma Christmas date the create more seta valentine day one 🎉❤ of buildings

[@chrismitchell3283]

I used to live in Valencia. On my trips along the A-23 I would always keep my eyes open for this surreal sight in the middle of nowhere. Thanks for the close-up view Sam!

[@PatxiTubeWorld]

Welcome to Spain Sam. It's a great joy to see you here.

[@HarrysVlog864]

Thanks Sam, this was fun to watch! Epic place.

[@sonofawhisp]

spaniards are class - greetings from belgium. and thanks sam for the great insight into this amazing company

[@supericeman1]

This is so cool thanks for sharing Sam!!!!!!

[@Binhnguyen-po8dd]

Never once have I been able to go abroad, the dream of the 5 of us, I feel very happy to be able to travel through your valuable photos.

[@docastrov9013]

Best wishes. KZbin is great for travelling in our minds!

[@gerk.5763]

Thank you Engineers Thank you all Service people Thank you Sam Chiu

[@Plane_boi]

Ah yes I wide variety of A340s, A380s, and 747s

[@goodson77784]

Europe's best.

[@Furudal]

Lufthansa A340 & A380 Return to service, brought to you by the Boeing 777X

[@justahomosapiens1861]

Here's to all the faceless ingenieurs across the globe who work tirelessly to ensure we can safely fly around our gorgeous home we call Earth. Cheers to each and every one of you!!.

[@davideslava3526]

I was taking a long trip to Alicante last month and I almost drove off the main road when I came across this sight. As a lover of four-engined aircraft, it's a sight to behold, even from afar.

[@will16320]

Really generous hospitality from the team at Tarmac. Great video

[@TheSheiban]

Love your behind the scenes videos. I hope you keep doing more of these :)

[@RodrigoHG21]

Very cool video! Welcome to Spain!!

[@MerajHuda]

This is probably Sam's best report. A great insight for aviation enthusiasts! ✈️

[@richardgray45]

What a brilliant report. Impressed that you got so close to those birds. Really informative Sam. Thanks.

[@johnhearn5680]

Hello Sam, thanks for your brilliant video on the plane graveyard. Your enthusiasm shows well, very enjoyable. The engineers are so cool and amazing. I worked for B. A. In the 70s and 80s as a motor mechanic and the plane engineers were so dedicated. Sorry so long a comment, but thanks and best wishes to you from the U.K. John.

[@ryanmrh4006]

Another quality aviation video! Such an interesting part of a planes lifespan, whether parked or being recycled. Thanks for the perspective Sam!

[@Iam.Jean1987]

Good to see that Sam reinvented himself from receiving free flight and giving good reviews

[@Nooticus]

He literally never did that you absolute clown

[@DevanSabaratnam]

Sam, you should come and do one of the largest aircraft storage facilities in the southern hemisphere, in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia. Maybe you can do a flight to Uluru as well as part of the vid.

[@michaelgreen6268]

Thank You so much Sam for always showing amazing content, so Sad to see so many aircraft static, Happy to see some are going to flying again, 380’s 350’s !!

[@reginaldnand2235]

Your videos always show things the public never sees. Keep doing what you're doing!

[@mayankjain7902]

A340 are always my favourite , just because of 4 engines

[@willhays3963]

More fun than the 2 engine

[@mayankjain7902]

@@willhays3963 yeah!!! Especially 340 500/600 they are love

[@muhammadowais3319]

Sam you are the best aviation gig

[@deanadamedge]

Very interesting Sam. Something we don't normally get to see. Thanks!

[@ThatOneSpaniard]

As a Spaniard, I’m so proud of this facility

[@baomao7243]

I liked the ending statement. They now have a 2nd home, and WILL fly again, returning the sky. Like lost artwork being found again, and now on display to the world.

[@rmd4209]

´This is more exiting than coming to Disney Land´ 🤣🤣 So true!! Thanks for the content Sam! 😍

[@felixshaibu8449]

Thank you for bringing Aviation close to us

[@thesunrisechannel]

Excellent Sam...As always!

[@BrendanKondrath-og7hj]

great job Sam so cool love it!!

[@LINJ638]

I didn't know that, but I learn something new from him every day.

[@ping-dq5qo]

great video Sam! but when we can get 4K =-=

[@aviationcinematics2024]

Absolutely fantastic video Sam!! Was wandering if you would make a video about Teruel as a lot has changed since everything got back to normal around 2022-2023 after the pandemic. However I'm really shocked at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="547">9:07</a> to see those 5 British Airways 747-400's still being in perfect shape and all being taken care of! They've been flown into Teruel in April 2020 ( before BA officially retired the 747 ) for long term storage and it looks like BA just left them there... It wouldn't be a mistake to maybe at least bring back those 744's, especially with the delay of the 777X! Hope to see those Jumbos back in the skies soon, 4 and a half years sure is a long time 😢

[@joshuadominictoling5310]

RIP, you served us well for a longtime!

[@simanyehlwayi-sk7jn]

Sam I was NOT an Aviation guy, but since I watched your videos you've brought so much Love to me in loving Aviation, THANK YOU SIR❤

[@XX-166]

There are companies that sell various parts of aircraft for homes from the smallest to chairs and tables to wall art… Sam can you put us in touch with any of those?? Great video as always

[@ramisotraghchi4076]

Thank you very much for sending us good and informative videos about the aviation industry, good luck always 👍🏻👍🏻❤

[@IamGoen]

So glad to see that very little goes to waste when it can't be used anymore.

[@csmoran9]

When i moved from Valencia to Vigo, i took the northern route and saw this place while on the highway storing tons of a380 from ba and others

[@StoneColdSteveAustin316.]

Thank For subtitles for I did not understand half of the video But yet again this is beautifully made

[@lighthouse66]

Aaaaaaah, the ultimate airplane enthusiast’s wet dream!!! Thanks for sharing this for us 🙏🏻

[@Norwichaviationspotter1]

Them British Airways 747’s always get me

[@hardwellmunga]

Return to Service!! I hope to work at Etihad some day

[@hayd8946]

My respect and appreciation to Mrs. Sam for this information to serve the community. The future of airlines must be maintained and prices reduced. This is the future of airlines, if they are honest for the sake of people. The companies must start reducing flights. There are many people who do not have the ability to travel, and we must look at these people, and the responsibility falls on them. All companies in the world

[@marcellkovacs5452]

The recycling part is so interesting. My first student job was actually inventorying aircraft parts which were removed from donor planes and checking that the ("8130" if I recall correctly) certificates were provided. If the paperwork was not in order, the parts were unusable.

[@mkkm945]

This might be your best video yet.

[@muhamzazaza]

Glad to hear that nokscoot plane were have a new home and will be back to fly again 🎉

[@teazerfemi]

Thanks Sam Chui You are fantastic doing this lovely video

[@didier2124]

I choose this place over Disneyland every day! I loved this video.

[@davidbarker9068]

What a fantastic video Sam

[@russefrance4869]

Interesting. I pass that airfield about every two months on my way to and from south west France to southern Spain. The temperature and air quality is noticeably different in that region and in winter, it can get really cold.

[@harshmarwah4508]

Sam I was really waiting for this video since 1 month because I love a380 and 747

[@julosx]

Also, this week, I learnt that Boeing is about to realease a new version of the 747-8 called the 747-8X. Exciting news if you ask me. Let's hope they'll make passenger versions of it.

[@margauxmilan]

Beautiful information, I learned something

[@danielpeti3885]

this video was super interesting. thank you for the upload.

[@thisnameislessembarassing]

That's way more A380's in storage than I would have thought!

[@u-know-this]

They are been reactivated for most airlines demand is crazy this year

[@jfmezei]

Saw a (I thinkl) Royal L1011 at Dorval (YUL) airport get "recycled" many moons ago. At first it was near the Royal hangar with progressively more naked (window removes, doors removed etc). Then it was moved to private aviation area when it was put on wooden blocks so landing gear could be removed. And then it was cut up with hydraulic jaws so very "ugly" parts as opposed to the straight clean cuts seen in your video. (I was allowed airside to see it up close one night). Notable: you can see the numbering/serial number of every metal part which provides insight of how they can rebuild aircraft after a crash to investigate it. What impresse me was the sheer size of the L1011 fuselage which had been cut relatively clean when the cabin ceiling (and everything above) is removed, leaving empty cargo deck a floor and the main deck. (Québec had a couple of Charter carriers who went bust about the same time, which is why I am not 100% sure if it was Royal or another).

[@EarthCamper]

Those side head rest are really added comfortable very much required. 👍

[@TheRareVideosXL]

Amazing content as always.

[@xavierferrao2938]

Good to see the big birds flying back in the air ❤sir

[@chrishullphoto]

Fascinating to see how aircraft get used as donor parts for other aircraft. Excellent video!

[@kenurquhart2061]

Sam a great video as always. Some years back you declared that you were going to take up a career as a pilot could you fill us in where you are now.

[@ashvinauthithan7441]

Hi Sam, I'm eagerly very excited that some of Ethiad Airways and Lufthansa Airbus A380's are entering back to service after the COVID pandemic👍👍👍👍. But sadly, British Airways Boeing 747-400's will not fly again and they were all retired 😞😞😞😞.

[@Furudal]

A380 Return brought to you by the Boeing 777X, at least for the Lufthansa ones

[@davidsolis6691]

Thank God for good engineers! Helping to keep all of us safe while flying/traveling! Thanks for another great video Sam!

[@keirra5096]

This is such a great video Sam ❤😊😊😊

[@ronaldcuieii8639]

Hi Sam, wow that was sharp. Very very nice.

[@rubypro1486]

See my favorite aircraft (a340) like this its a bit sad but its like this thank you for all a340 😢

[@georgefranklin3222]

Very informative, thank you.

[@thealcohologist8624]

See if you can visit the German VIP plane, that would be really cool to see

[@DanielSantos-ln2cw]

Should more content on them planes we love to see parked planes to go and fly again

[@markfosseth8047]

Basically a good portion of flying planes use super used spare parts 😱

[@theredvic]

Amazing to let us know something which is not realy known about, fantastic video, thank you for the video and and the knowledge you have made us aware off. have subscribed.

[@anglodutch8321]

Excellent little documentary ! Thank you.

[@fonzireyes]

Amazing! Thank you for sharing.

[@DIDCOTTWIST]

One of the most interesting videos I have watched on KZbin 👍🏻

[@MikeStevens]

"Here's a clue, I knew, when this aircraft last flew. This magazine, says November 19". Excellent rhyming! 😂

[@tripdudette]

I wish I could buy a front section of one of the old BA 747s & create a home out of it. Have flown on them since 1979, they’re part of my travel history in such a big way ✈️. However, I now love Qatar Airways’ first class & had the pleasure of flying it on a 380 from DOH to PER in Feb 2019 with only 2 of us in 1st (we each had our own bathroom!) *right before the pandemic*!

[@Emery21]

For somd reason it's looks eerie

[@shamimulislam4422]

A great video. I really appreciate such videos. Many many thanks for this best. And Bhalobasha ar Dowa for you and all the great engineers for their great did; from Mirpur Dhaka Bangladesh.

[@alexlong3714]

WOW! It is an interesting video. Thanks for sharing.

[@jamdonut]

thanks for arranging and sharing this, so cool and interesting

[@Ozinchanel]

Wow . Amazing,. So many aircraft here..

[@_anubhav_nath_9604]

Such a honour to go there ❤

[@nurrizadjatmiko21]

😎Very awesome video, sir. Truly an aviation enthusiast dream place am i right ? 🤩. I love it

[@davemellor4697]

This was really interesting Sam,thanks for the upload.

[@ColonelJohnmatrix1000]

Not as big or as exotic as our boneyard in Arizona but still impressive. I have flown planes to their death out to Davis-Monthan and it’s very sad. Especially when you are attached to the aircraft. Three F-15C’s that I flew in both Gulf campaigns sit out there being scavenged for parts. I must admit it’s a difficult thing to do as a warfighter. Those three airframes saved my life on a few occasions.

[@abashardoust]

Nice backround music!

[@commoncommenter1396]

Great video Sam! 💯💯💯

[@rodanny1961]

Great info!

[@user-vl5xo8og8s]

When touring a few years ago, we saw them glittering in the beautiful Spanish sun from a distance so we took a detour to view from the fence road. Unbelievable and totally unexpected. That is why we enjoy touring, one sees so much more. When done Spain. 🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@l2etranger]

Sam, you the best!

[@AZqyc]

For a little encore, you need to come to Tucson / Marana ... Tucson for the military planes, Marana for the commercial. BTW, a lot of people also speak Español around here, too!

[@DevarshDave-kc3py]

It felt like a Field Visit from a University

[@lisal9282]

Thanks for sharing. Great insight.

[@alexeibandati1007]

So sad to see the end of life of these beautiful birds .....😢 Thanks for video!