Thomas Bulirsch on Growth, Milestones, and the Future of aviationscouts
During MRO Europe 2024, Aviation Business News sat down with Thomas Bulirsch, Founder & CEO of aviationscouts GmbH, to reflect on the company’s 25-year journey — from a surplus seat startup to a global aviation interiors and MRO partner.
In the interview, Thomas shares insights into:
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The company’s evolution and mindset over two and a half decades
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The strategic merger with Aerotec Europe Group
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Future plans with AES – Airplane-Equipment & Services GmbH
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The importance of culture, partnerships, and customer-centric innovation
From Surplus Seat Reseller to Aviation Group Player
Founded in 1998, aviationscouts has grown steadily into a market leader in surplus aircraft interiors. Over the years, the company:
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Launched the aviationgate.com marketplace
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Certified and sold over 30,000 passenger seats
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Built a global network of MRO and leasing partners
With the 2024 integration into Aerotec Europe Holding GmbH, aviationscouts now operates as part of a larger aviation ecosystem — enabling end-to-end cabin solutions from repair to resale.
A Few Highlights from the Interview
“It’s all about building trust and flexibility — in our team and in our customer relationships.”
“The merger allows us to do more than ever: from sourcing and repair to resale and sustainability.”
