White-tail aircraft are planes built without a designated customer, often due to order cancellations or a lack of certification. The term originated from the light-colored primer used on the aircraft’s body, which helps reflect sunlight and minimize corrosion. Offloading white tails can benefit airlines by providing a quicker way to add new aircraft to their fleet.

Reasons for White Tails

Manufacturers may build aircrafts without a customer to maintain their production rates. Airlines can also cancel orders or convert them into other variants, leading to white-tails. Additionally, a model may be grounded or fail to gain timely certification, resulting in unsold planes.

Identifying White Tails

While the term “white tail” suggests a light-colored aircraft, not all white tails are actually white. Newly built planes are typically coated with a green zinc chromate or zinc phosphate primer for corrosion protection, which is later replaced by a light base paint. The light color makes airframe inspections easier and allows for easy overpainting.

Pandemic and MAX Groundings

The COVID-19 pandemic and Boeing 737 MAX groundings led to a significant increase in white-tail aircraft. Boeing had as many as 200 undelivered and unwanted 737 MAX planes, while Airbus also faced white-tail challenges, particularly with the Airbus A380. However, Airbus managed to offload its white tails by July 2021.

Orphan White Tails

Some white tails are “orphans,” meaning they were destined for a specific airline that later backed out of the deal. In rare cases, these planes may already be painted in the customer’s livery before the agreement is canceled. These aircraft often retain the cabin configuration of their intended customer.

Offloading White Tails

Manufacturers may offer low-market white tails to attract buyers and offload their surplus. Airlines can benefit from acquiring white tails, as they provide a quicker way to expand their fleet than waiting in the production queue. Southwest Airlines, for example, acquired up to 30 Boeing 737 MAX white tails in 2020 to replace its existing orders and receive the aircraft sooner.

Challenges with White Tails

While offloading white tails can be advantageous for airlines, manufacturers face challenges in managing these surplus planes. Storing and maintaining white tails incurs ongoing costs, and a large number of unsold aircraft can signal desperation to potential buyers.

Future Outlook

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the issue of white tail aircraft is likely to persist. Manufacturers will need to adapt their policies to balance production with customer demand, while airlines will seek opportunities to acquire white tails to expand their fleets efficiently. The ability to deal with these challenges will be crucial for the success of both manufacturers and airlines in the years ahead.