Airlines including Delta and United have placed their aircraft in storage in a so-called ‘boneyard’ in the desert for with flight operations cut to around 5% of normal operations due to the coronavirus .
Delta Air Lines have parked their planes at Pinal Airpark 90 miles south of Phoenix. The dry desert air helps to keep the planes in good condition and stops them from rusting while they are not being used during the global health crisis.
The ‘boneyard’ was already home to hundreds of retired commercial and military aircraft but now major airlines have parked up huge amount of their fleets for the foreseeable future.
Decommissioned and suspended Delta commercial aircrafts are seen stored in Pinal Airpark
![Dozens of decommissioned and suspended Delta and jetBlue commercial aircrafts are now in storage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478736-8327011-image-a-17_1589666268504.jpg)
Dozens of decommissioned and suspended Delta and jetBlue commercial aircrafts are now in storage
![Pinal Airpark is the largest commercial aircraft storage facility in the world, currently holding increased numbers of aircraft in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478742-8327011-image-a-15_1589666265365.jpg)
Pinal Airpark is the largest commercial aircraft storage facility in the world, currently holding increased numbers of aircraft in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic
![Canadian airline WestJet had its 737-MAX aircraft stored at the airpark even before the current health crisis](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478734-8327011-image-a-20_1589666274651.jpg)
Canadian airline WestJet had its 737-MAX aircraft stored at the airpark even before the current health crisis
![Pinal Air Park is not just a parking lot for the aircraft - airlines are paying not only for the parking spots and for technicians to ensure that the planes are ready to go the moment they're needed again](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478752-8327011-image-a-21_1589666285924.jpg)
Pinal Air Park is not just a parking lot for the aircraft – airlines are paying not only for the parking spots and for technicians to ensure that the planes are ready to go the moment they’re needed again
![Air Canada Rouge has parked its jets neatly side by side waiting until they are required to fly once again](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478750-8327011-image-a-23_1589666291563.jpg)
Air Canada Rouge has parked its jets neatly side by side waiting until they are required to fly once again
![One of hundreds of planes that have arrived at the airpark in recent months and now in storage until demand rises again](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478748-8327011-image-a-26_1589666295149.jpg)
One of hundreds of planes that have arrived at the airpark in recent months and now in storage until demand rises again
![JetBlue planes sit idle on the tarmac waiting for the opportunity to take to the skies again](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478754-8327011-image-a-30_1589666305362.jpg)
JetBlue planes sit idle on the tarmac waiting for the opportunity to take to the skies again
![Things are starting to get crowded at one of the world’s largest parking lots for idle airliners, just outside of Marana](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478760-8327011-image-a-28_1589666303544.jpg)
Things are starting to get crowded at one of the world’s largest parking lots for idle airliners, just outside of Marana
![Large Air Canada Roughe planes sit at Pinal Airpark where they will remain while the coronavirus pandemic puts most of the world's foreign travel on hold](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478768-8327011-image-a-32_1589666315561.jpg)
Large Air Canada Roughe planes sit at Pinal Airpark where they will remain while the coronavirus pandemic puts most of the world’s foreign travel on hold
![Throughout April, JetBlue has sent more than 80 airliners to the desert and placed them in storage](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478766-8327011-image-a-33_1589666320477.jpg)
Throughout April, JetBlue has sent more than 80 airliners to the desert and placed them in storage
The Pinal Airpark is a public-use airport in Pinal County, Arizona, around seven miles from the central business district of Marana.
It covers an area of 2,080 acres and has single runway measuring almost 7,000ft long.
Many aging aircraft that touch down at the airpark may never take to the skies again and the skeletons of many old models can be found laid out in the sun.
Delta laid its final Boeing 747 passenger plane to rest at the Arizona graveyard in January 2018, marking the final flight of the jumbo jet by a U.S. carrier. United Airlines had previously retired its last model from service the previous November.
![Some older aircraft that were due to be retired in the coming year will now likely not fly ever again](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478772-8327011-image-a-35_1589666327600.jpg)
Some older aircraft that were due to be retired in the coming year will now likely not fly ever again
![There's still space for plenty more planes to be placed into storage including for smaller regional jets like these, pictured](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478770-8327011-image-a-38_1589666331984.jpg)
There’s still space for plenty more planes to be placed into storage including for smaller regional jets like these, pictured
![The Airpark is mainly used as a 'boneyard' for commercial planes, with older planes stored there with the hope that the desert climate will stop them from rusting](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478776-8327011-image-a-39_1589666336217.jpg)
The Airpark is mainly used as a ‘boneyard’ for commercial planes, with older planes stored there with the hope that the desert climate will stop them from rusting
![The Airpark can hold around 370 aircraft in total but space appears to be filling up fast with new arrivals daily](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478780-8327011-image-a-44_1589666342865.jpg)
The Airpark can hold around 370 aircraft in total but space appears to be filling up fast with new arrivals daily
![Steep cuts to domestic and international air travel has seen smaller jetliners to join the wide-body aircraft typically used for long-haul flights](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478774-8327011-image-a-42_1589666340193.jpg)
Steep cuts to domestic and international air travel has seen smaller jetliners to join the wide-body aircraft typically used for long-haul flights
![Many of the aircraft early on came from Delta Air Lines. JetBlue has accounted for most of the arrivals in April. Air Canada and its low-cost subsidiary, Rouge, have sent about 30 aircraft](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478778-8327011-image-a-46_1589666347205.jpg)
Many of the aircraft early on came from Delta Air Lines. JetBlue has accounted for most of the arrivals in April. Air Canada and its low-cost subsidiary, Rouge, have sent about 30 aircraft
![JetBlue have parked up almost 100 of its aircraft as demand for flights has plummeted by some 95% with no end in sight](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478786-8327011-image-a-49_1589666352146.jpg)
JetBlue have parked up almost 100 of its aircraft as demand for flights has plummeted by some 95% with no end in sight
![JetBlue's Airbus A320, A319 and regional jet Embraer aircraft can all be seen in this aerial shot of the airpark](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478782-8327011-image-a-47_1589666350249.jpg)
JetBlue’s Airbus A320, A319 and regional jet Embraer aircraft can all be seen in this aerial shot of the airpark
![Air Canada aeroplanes grounded by coronavirus have had to find indefinite parking spaces in the deserts of the Southwest](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478788-8327011-image-a-51_1589666358468.jpg)
Air Canada aeroplanes grounded by coronavirus have had to find indefinite parking spaces in the deserts of the Southwest
![Aircraft from various carriers including Air Canada were flown to the park in Marana, Arizona, where they will remain for the foreseeable future](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478794-8327011-image-a-54_1589666362311.jpg)
Aircraft from various carriers including Air Canada were flown to the park in Marana, Arizona, where they will remain for the foreseeable future
![The aircraft are packed snug and tight on the airfield. They won't take to the skies until they are needed once again](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/05/16/22/28478792-8327011-image-a-56_1589666366276.jpg)
The aircraft are packed snug and tight on the airfield. They won’t take to the skies until they are needed once again
Airlines have been forced to cut back on services due to the coronavirus pandemic, with many countries closing their borders to foreign travelers in unprecedented efforts to flatten the curve of infections.
The demand for travel has plunged worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, as business and leisure travelers cancel their trips.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has been publishing information on how many passengers have passed through US airport checkpoints each day, with a comparison to how many traveled on the same day of the week last year.
In the U.S. alone, the numbers of passengers traveling are just 5% what would normally be expected meaning there has been a whopping 95% decline travel.
![A recently landed Delta Air Lines airplane is worked on by ground crew at Pinal Airpark. This photo was taken in March](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/11/26198326-8133909-A_recently_landed_Delta_Air_Lines_airplane_is_worked_on_by_groun-a-28_1584704290091.jpg)
A recently landed Delta Air Lines airplane is worked on by ground crew at Pinal Airpark. This photo was taken in March
![Delta Air Lines planes are seen next to other decommissioned aircraft at their final resting place in Pinal Airpark](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/13/26207934-8133909-image-a-50_1584712712976.jpg)
Delta Air Lines planes are seen next to other decommissioned aircraft at their final resting place in Pinal Airpark
![An aerial view of Pinal Airpark, where many old aircrafts are laid to rest stretched out in the Arizona sun, pictured in 2018](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/11/26198862-8133909-An_aerial_view_of_Pinal_Airpark_where_many_old_aircrafts_are_lai-a-29_1584704290092.jpg)
An aerial view of Pinal Airpark, where many old aircrafts are laid to rest stretched out in the Arizona sun, pictured in 2018
![Tail fins of passenger planes, mostly Delta Air Lines planes, sit parked at Pinal Airpark](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/11/26198322-8133909-Tail_fins_of_recently_landed_Delta_Air_Lines_sit_parked_at_Pinal-a-27_1584704290088.jpg)
Tail fins of passenger planes, mostly Delta Air Lines planes, sit parked at Pinal Airpark
![Decommissioned and suspended commercial aircraft are seen stored in Pinal Airpark](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/11/26198858-8133909-Decommissioned_and_suspended_commercial_aircraft_are_seen_stored-a-31_1584704290093.jpg)
Decommissioned and suspended commercial aircraft are seen stored in Pinal Airpark
![US airlines have slashed their domestic and foreign flights in response to the coronavirus pandemic](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/13/26207794-8133909-image-a-34_1584712482005.jpg)
US airlines have slashed their domestic and foreign flights in response to the coronavirus pandemic
![US airlines are slashing their domestic and foreign flights in response to President Donald Trump's travel ban](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/13/26207942-8133909-image-a-48_1584712672422.jpg)
US airlines are slashing their domestic and foreign flights in response to President Donald Trump’s travel ban
![An aerial view of Penal Park in Arizona taken two years ago, showing the rows of decommissioned planes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/15/26211670-8133909-image-a-73_1584718481013.jpg)
An aerial view of Penal Park in Arizona taken two years ago, showing the rows of decommissioned planes
![Decommissioned and suspended commercial aircrafts are seen stored in Pinal Airpark in March in Marana, Arizona](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/15/26211758-8133909-image-a-80_1584718673629.jpg)
Decommissioned and suspended commercial aircrafts are seen stored in Pinal Airpark in March in Marana, Arizona
![A decomissioned aircraft is seen among various smaller planes at the Pinal Airpark, which is mainly used as a 'boneyard' for commercial planes](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/13/26207944-8133909-image-a-44_1584712593361.jpg)
A decomissioned aircraft is seen among various smaller planes at the Pinal Airpark, which is mainly used as a ‘boneyard’ for commercial planes
![Decommissioned and suspended commercial aircrafts are seen stored in Pinal Airpark. Most aging aircraft that touch down at the airpark will never take to the skies again and the skeletons of many old models can be found laid out in the sun](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/13/26207798-8133909-image-a-39_1584712520430.jpg)
Decommissioned and suspended commercial aircrafts are seen stored in Pinal Airpark. Most aging aircraft that touch down at the airpark will never take to the skies again and the skeletons of many old models can be found laid out in the sun
![At least one hundred planes were already sitting on the ground at the boneyard having been retired by their airlines](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/11/26198870-8133909-Decommissioned_and_suspended_commercial_aircrafts_are_seen_store-a-23_1584704290070.jpg)
At least one hundred planes were already sitting on the ground at the boneyard having been retired by their airlines
![Delta laid its final Boeing 747 passenger plane to rest at the Arizona graveyard in January 2018, marking the final flight of the jumbo jet by a U.S. carrier](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/11/26198854-8133909-Decommissioned_and_suspended_commercial_aircrafts_are_seen_store-a-24_1584704290071.jpg)
Delta laid its final Boeing 747 passenger plane to rest at the Arizona graveyard in January 2018, marking the final flight of the jumbo jet by a U.S. carrier
![With a stripped passenger plane in the foreground, a recently landed Delta Air Lines airplane is worked on by ground crew](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/11/26198336-8133909-With_a_stripped_passenger_plane_in_the_foreground_a_recently_lan-a-32_1584704290094.jpg)
With a stripped passenger plane in the foreground, a recently landed Delta Air Lines airplane is worked on by ground crew
![A recently landed Delta Air Lines jet is towed off the runway at Pinal Airpark. Many passenger planes are being kept at the facility as airlines cut back on service](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/11/26198324-8133909-A_recently_landed_Delta_Air_Lines_jet_is_towed_off_a_runway_at_P-a-33_1584704290094.jpg)
A recently landed Delta Air Lines jet is towed off the runway at Pinal Airpark. Many passenger planes are being kept at the facility as airlines cut back on service
![Mothballed Delta Air Lines passenger planes are joined by recently arrived Delta airplanes at Pinal Airpark](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/13/26207950-8133909-image-a-43_1584712572382.jpg)
Mothballed Delta Air Lines passenger planes are joined by recently arrived Delta airplanes at Pinal Airpark
![A recently landed Delta Air Lines plane is towed past two stripped passenger planes at Pinal Airpark](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/03/20/11/26198312-8133909-A_recently_landed_Delta_Air_Lines_plane_is_towed_past_two_stripp-a-25_1584704290072.jpg)
A recently landed Delta Air Lines plane is towed past two stripped passenger planes at Pinal Airpark