Goodyear Airport – A Peculiar Place Where Large Commercial Aircraft Go to Retire
AZ – An airport on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona, is home to many retired commercial aircraft. It’s not the only place in the country with this unique distinction, but perhaps one of the most notable. This peculiar “aircraft boneyard” is officially known as the Phoenix Goodyear Airport Aircraft Storage Facility. The facility spans over 1,300 acres of land. It serves as long-term storage for retired and temporarily decommissioned large commercial airplanes, making it one of the largest aircraft storage and maintenance facilities anywhere on the planet.
The Perfect Conditions for Preserving Aircraft
Established around World War II, Goodyear Airport was initially operated as a naval air station, supporting the war effort by producing and maintaining military aircraft. Over the years, it transitioned into what is now a “mega” storage and maintenance facility for surplus and retired large aircraft. The arid desert climate of Arizona offers prized conditions for the preservation of aircraft, as the dry air prevents deterioration typically caused by corrosion and rust.
Vast Array of Retired Commercial and Military Aircraft
What truly sets the Goodyear Airport apart, located just outside of Phoenix, is its role as a boneyard, where tired and worn-out aircraft go when they are no longer in active flying service. The facility is home to many sleeping giants, including commercial and military aircraft, ranging from small turboprop planes to large jumbo jets. Airlines, leasing companies, and government agencies use Goodyear to park aircraft that are temporarily and permanently out of service, waiting for maintenance, repair, or awaiting resale and even recycling.
The Vast Desert Landscape
Touring Goodyear Airport is genuinely a surreal experience with its makeshift rows upon rows of aircraft parked in the vast desert landscape, creating a captivating and somewhat eerie scene. While the facility is not generally open to the public, aviation enthusiasts and others can glimpse the vast number of tightly packed aircraft from outside the perimeter fence. It’s a sight to see and well worth the drive if ever visiting the Phoenix area.
Final Storage Location for Retired Aircraft
Goodyear’s role as an aircraft boneyard is not its only function. The airport also supports other aviation activities, including flight training, aircraft maintenance, and various flight-related services. Its unique distinction as a storage location for retired aircraft makes it an intriguing and significant landmark in aviation, reflecting the history and evolution of the United States and the global aerospace industry.
Used Boeing or Airbus Aircraft
On a typical day at Goodyear, you may spot an old, retired Boeing 757 departing for a distant destination and a new life in some foreign country. For example, countries like China and India often purchase older, outdated transport category aircraft that once carried passengers for further use as cargo aircraft. Aircraft operators in other countries often can negotiate a great deal on a used Boeing or Airbus aircraft to bolster their growing infrastructures and economies. Many nations worldwide are building and expanding their aviation networks and, as such, require large numbers of older used commercial airplanes.
Hauling Freight to The Far Stretches of The World
Foreign freight companies have discovered that it is typically far more cost-effective to buy an older used commercial jet transport airplane that once carried passengers that can easily be converted into a cargo-carrying aircraft. While the cost of installing or “cutting” a cargo door into the side of a commercial passenger airplane can quickly mount into the millions of dollars, it is still far cheaper than purchasing a new freighter aircraft. So, while many of these aircraft faithfully and successfully carried hundreds of thousands of passengers around the country and across the globe over their service life, they will now be utilized to haul freight to the far stretches of the world.
A Unique Testament to The Resilience of The Aviation Industry
Goodyear Airport is a unique testament to the adaptability of the modern aviation industry. While this unique desert location provides the perfect solution for short- and long-term plane storage, it also facilitates the future of aviation in many ways. With so many aircraft parked and waiting, there is an ongoing opportunity for future use of many of these airplanes. Goodyear is an active and busy airport with a constant influx and outflow of aircraft daily. It’s become a clearinghouse of sorts that facilitates the buying and selling of used commercial aircraft.
The City of Goodyear
Goodyear Airport, officially known as the Phoenix Goodyear Airport (IATA: GYR, ICAO: KGYR), is in Goodyear, Arizona, USA. The airport is approximately 20 miles west of downtown Phoenix, making it a convenient location for travelers heading to the western suburbs of the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Follow The Signs to the Airport
To find Goodyear Airport by car, take Interstate 10 (I-10) and exit onto North Litchfield Road, heading south. Follow the signs for the airport, and you will arrive at the facility. The airport is easily accessible by road, with ample parking facilities available for private vehicles. For those using public transportation, options include taxis, rideshare services, or airport shuttles from various locations in the Phoenix area.
Add Goodyear to Your List of Places to See
Pilots arriving by air can follow standard aviation procedures for landing at Phoenix Goodyear Airport, with multiple runways capable of accommodating a host of aircraft. Overall, Goodyear Airport is a vital transportation hub for general and business aviation activities in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, contributing to the region’s connectivity and long-term economic development. Add Goodyear to your list of places to see next time in Phoenix. You’ll be glad that you did.