What is the service life of retired airport vehicles?
2 Answers
Here is an introduction to the service life of retired airport vehicles: Introduction 1: Both retired airport vehicles and decommissioned taxis are scrapped after 8 years, with the exact period depending on the vehicle type. Introduction 2: Retired airport vehicles are commercial vehicles, not private cars, and their condition is generally poor, with no guarantee on performance. Introduction 3: Scrapping periods for decommissioned taxis: small and mini taxi passenger vehicles are used for 8 years, medium-sized taxi passenger vehicles for 10 years, and large taxi passenger vehicles for 12 years. Introduction 4: For small and mini taxi passenger vehicles (excluding pure electric vehicles) and motorcycles, relevant departments of provincial, autonomous region, and municipal governments can formulate stricter service life regulations based on local conditions, but the service life for small and mini taxi passenger vehicles must not be less than 6 years, for three-wheeled motorcycles not less than 10 years, and for other motorcycles not less than 11 years.
Having been in the airport vehicle circle for so long, I've seen many retirement topics. Those old baggage tractors or snow removal vehicles can last over 20 years—it's never about a fixed timeframe. They survive through regular professional maintenance, like monthly comprehensive inspections and replacing worn parts. If well-maintained and still meeting operational standards, airports often extend their service life. But once safety hazards emerge, such as brake failure or electrical system aging, they must be retired. Budget also plays a role—well-funded airports might upgrade to energy-efficient models earlier. Ultimately, retirement decisions prioritize safety and cost-effectiveness over rigid numbers. I advise owners to focus on daily maintenance logs and annual safety inspection reports—that’s what really matters.
