Our services
Aircraft Recovery & Repossession
UK • Europe • Worldwide
Specialist aircraft recovery and repossession services for aircraft financiers, lessors, owners and their appointed professional advisers, across the UK, Europe and worldwide.
When an aircraft needs to be located, secured, recovered or protected
Aircraft repossession can involve multiple stakeholders, jurisdictions and operational requirements. We provide a coordinated aircraft recovery service on the ground, working alongside your legal and technical teams to protect the aircraft, its records and its value.
Aircraft recovery process
From first call to secure handover
Every aircraft recovery follows a clear, documented process, so you know where the aircraft is, who has control of it and what condition it’s in at every stage.
Our recovery capability
Locate & Secure
Find and secure the aircraft.
Recover & Control
Manage the recovery operation.
Records & Documentation
Secure aircraft records and assets.
Storage & Preservation
Arrange secure storage and preservation.
Handover
Transfer to the authorised party.
Our aircraft recovery services
Aircraft Location & Securing
Locate, verify and secure the aircraft and establish control.
Physical Recovery
On-the-ground recovery and repossession logistics.
Airport & Airfield Coordination
Liaise with airports, airfields, FBOs and handling agents.
Operator Engagement
Work with operators and management companies.
Crew Coordination
Coordinate crew and pilots where required.
Access & Control
Manage access, keys and physical control.
Records & Documentation
Recover and transfer aircraft records and documentation.
Ferry & Repositioning
Coordinate flights, crew and destination arrangements.
Secure Parking & Hangarage
Arrange secure parking and hangarage.
Preservation
Protect the aircraft and maintain its condition.
Condition Reporting
Document condition with photos and reports.
Engineer & MRO Coordination
Engage qualified engineers and MROs.
Cross-Border Recovery
UK, European and worldwide support.
Repossession Logistics
End-to-end operational coordination.
About our aircraft repossession service
When a lease ends early, a loan goes into default or an operator stops trading, the aircraft needs to be found, secured and protected quickly. First Response Aviation Group provides the operational side of aircraft recovery and repossession: locating the aircraft, taking physical control, recovering records and keys, and arranging safe storage or a ferry flight.
We support aircraft recoveries at UK airports and airfields, across Europe and worldwide, and work closely with your lawyers, technical advisers and the airport operator throughout.
What you receive
A documented recovery, start to finish
Lenders, lessors and their advisers need certainty. Every recovery we coordinate produces a clear record of where the aircraft is, who controls it and what condition it is in.
- Named coordinator from first instruction through to final handover.
- Pre-recovery status check confirming the aircraft’s location, operator and situation on the ground.
- Photographic condition report taken at the moment the aircraft is secured.
- Full inventory of technical records, logbooks, keys, loose equipment and documents recovered.
- Chain-of-custody log showing who held control of the aircraft, and when.
- Regular progress updates to you and your legal advisers at each stage.
- Storage, preservation or ferry arranged to your instructions and budget.
- Formal handover pack signed on transfer to the authorised party.
Frequently asked questions
What is aircraft repossession?
Aircraft repossession is taking back possession of an aircraft, usually for a financier or lessor after a default or the end of a lease. It normally involves locating the aircraft, securing it, recovering its records and moving it somewhere safe once the legal position allows.
Who do you carry out aircraft recoveries for?
We work for aircraft financiers and lenders, lessors, owners, insolvency practitioners and their legal advisers.
Can you recover an aircraft outside the UK?
Yes. We support cross-border aircraft recovery across Europe and worldwide, coordinating local airports, handling agents, engineers and ferry crew.
Do you replace our legal advisers?
No. Your legal team manages the legal process. We handle the operational work on the ground and keep everyone informed.
What information do you need to get started?
Ideally the aircraft registration and serial number, its last known location, operator or management company details, and contact details for your legal adviser. If you don’t have all of this yet, call us anyway and we’ll help you work through it.
Is my enquiry kept confidential?
Yes. Every enquiry and instruction is handled in confidence, and we only share information with the parties you authorise.
What happens to the aircraft after it’s recovered?
That’s your decision. We can arrange secure storage and preservation, reposition the aircraft to a location of your choice, or prepare it for remarketing through our aircraft sales support.
Need aircraft recovery support?
Contact our team for a confidential discussion about an aircraft recovery or repossession.
International House
Charfleet Road
Essex, United Kingdom
UK Based • Worldwide Coverage