Unical Aviation's Strategy to Keep Global Aircraft Fleets Flying
Unical Aviation has undergone one of the most significant transformations in its 34-year history with the 2024 acquisition of ecube Solutions, positioning the company as a vertically integrated powerhouse in the Used Serviceable Material (USM) market. The strategic merger brings together complementary expertise that addresses critical supply chain challenges facing global commercial aviation.
Under the leadership of CEO Sharon Green, a 35-year industry veteran with C-level experience at GE Capital Aviation Services and The Memphis Group, Unical has expanded its capabilities beyond parts distribution to encompass the entire aircraft lifecycle. Founded in 1990, Unical now operates across the United States and Europe, supplying 90 million available parts spanning over one million unique part numbers to customers in more than 90 countries.
The acquisition of ecube, with its Diamond Level AFRA-accredited facilities in Coolidge, Arizona, Castellón, Spain, and St Athan, Wales, provides Unical with critical in-house disassembly capabilities. This vertical integration eliminates the inefficiencies of third-party coordination, enabling comprehensive material harvesting and faster time-to-market for high-demand components.
A defining moment for the partnership came with the world’s first Airbus A320neo fleet disassembly, commenced in April 2024. While traditionally considered too young for disassembly, widespread engine availability issues have forced aircraft owners to reconsider asset utilization strategies. Green, drawing on her experience leading The Memphis Group’s pioneering A320 CEO disassembly program, recognized the opportunity despite initial uncertainty about market demand.
“The Neos have obviously been a big piece of that and that was just a pure partnership with a lessor,” Green explained at MRO Europe. “Through the years, you learn that the first to come out is going to be successful. We just had no idea how successful the Neos would be.” The gamble paid off, with operators preferring newer-generation parts even when older CEO material remained serviceable. Green anticipates regular A320neo disassembly will become commonplace within a decade.
The Unical-ecube collaboration creates mutual benefits beyond operational efficiency. ecube gains access to Unical’s extensive parts sales history, enabling data-driven disassembly decisions that maximize value extraction. Conversely, Unical’s storage customers now have access to comprehensive transition services, opening new revenue streams.
Unical’s competitive differentiation extends beyond disassembly capabilities. The company’s 599,000 square foot Glendale, Arizona facility, established in 2023 after relocating from California, houses both parts warehousing and a captive FAA, EASA, and UK-certified 145 repair station. This in-house MRO capability, which performs no third-party work, accelerates parts delivery to customers while maintaining quality control.
Asia-Pacific represents a significant growth opportunity for Unical. The company has committed to registering its next 100 aircraft disassembly projects under the AFRA-CAAC globally harmonized program, utilizing Block Aero’s blockchain-powered traceability platform. Expected to launch in early 2026, this system will provide unprecedented transparency in component provenance, meeting the highest safety and regulatory standards. Green anticipates the Asia-Pacific region will generate a quarter or more of company sales as these processes mature.
Navigating global tariff volatility presents ongoing challenges for international operations. Unical’s strategic response includes establishing European warehousing in Wales, enabling direct regional distribution that avoids unnecessary customs friction and cost burdens for customers. “Since the landscape has been evolving so quickly, we’ve decided to remain adaptable and wait until things settle,” Green noted.
Unical’s programmatic aircraft acquisition strategy—purchasing multiple airframes simultaneously—provides supply chain stability that many competitors cannot match. While some industry players struggle with aircraft availability, this approach positions Unical as a one-stop shop for customers requiring consistent parts supply.
Green emphasized that current aircraft retirement rates remain below historical expectations, which paradoxically benefits the entire aviation ecosystem. “Ultimately you want them in the air,” she stated. “The more planes are in the air, the higher the need is for maintenance and by extension, for parts.” With comprehensive coverage across the aviation services lifecycle, Unical is positioned to capitalize on this sustained demand.
The company’s success is underpinned by exceptional human capital. Green consistently highlights the remarkable depth of technical expertise across Unical’s workforce, from landing gear specialists to APU and engine experts, strengthened by recent additions from other leading USM providers. This knowledge base, combined with strategic infrastructure investments and vertical integration, establishes Unical Aviation as a formidable force in supporting global commercial aircraft fleet operations.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764102495221-905