Airlines

An Entrepreneur Buys Boeing 737-200 For £5K & Turns It Into Stunning Airbnb

Entrepreneur Steven Northam purchased the 1968 Boeing 737-200’s front fuselage on eBay for $6,165 (£5,000) and then spent the next three months renovating the aircraft.

The five-ton, 29-foot front had to be moved by Northam from Chichester College in West Sussex, England, where it had been used to educate airline crews. It was transported to Northam’s home in Winchester, England, and unsurprisingly wasn’t in the finest of shape. Because it had been left outside for 15 years, he explained, it had become somewhat soiled and worn out. A little work was required.

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Northam claimed that the cost of restoring the interior and outside of the jet was close to £15,000 ($18,480). Northam had to paint the exterior using a boom lift. He claimed, “I completely repainted the plane’s exterior.” The project cost about £20,000 ($24,679) when the cost of the plane’s acquisition and transportation are taken into account.

Beginning in July 2022 and continuing through September, Northam worked hard on the plane’s renovation. As a three-month endeavor, Northam claimed to have completed it all by himself. Basically, it’s just me, by myself.

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His first steps were pulling away the majority of the seats, strengthening the floor, and replacing the carpeting. The cast of “George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces” on Channel 4 captured footage of the procedure. It was a “big, empty space” once the seats were taken out. To create a warm atmosphere, Northam began to construct parts.

The aircraft, called “Marwell High Club” after the adjacent Marwell Zoo, has a heat pump that regulates temperature in both the summer and winter. It also has high-speed WiFi, Smart TVs, XBoxes, and kitchen capabilities. The cosy double bed is located in the lower cargo hold and is visible from the upper floor of the front fuselage’s two floors through an embedded perspex window.

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Even outside the aircraft, Northam constructed a hot tub from an engine’s inlet cowling. After obtaining a permit, Northam intends to list the vacation accommodation on Airbnb and is anticipating charging $185.70 (£150) per night.

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Airlines

Air India to Launch aircraft maintenance training institute in Bengaluru

Air India, one of India’s leading global airlines, is set to establish a Basic Maintenance Training Organization (BMTO) in Bengaluru.

This institute will offer a comprehensive Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program certified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The program will follow an integrated 2+2 year structure, combining classroom learning with practical, hands-on training.

This initiative is part of Air India’s broader goal of creating a robust aviation ecosystem in India. With plans to expand its fleet and strengthen its operations, the airline aims to build a skilled workforce of maintenance engineers, making the organization self-reliant while supporting its ambitious transformation journey.

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To bring this vision to life, air india has partnered with Bengaluru Airport City Limited (BACL), a subsidiary of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Together, they will develop a state-of-the-art facility spanning 86,000 square feet at Bengaluru Airport City.

This purpose-built campus will feature modern classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, and qualified trainers to deliver world-class education and training. The institute is expected to become operational by mid-2026.

The BMTO will be located close to Air India’s new 12-bay Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility, also set to open in Bengaluru by early 2026. The AME program will begin with two years of academic coursework, followed by two years of practical training at the MRO, ensuring students receive hands-on experience adhering to industry standards.

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In the meantime, Air India has introduced a Cadet AME program in collaboration with reputable institutions in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

This ensures continuity in its commitment to developing skilled aircraft maintenance engineers while the BMTO facility is under construction. The program also allows students to pursue a bachelor’s degree through university partnerships, enhancing their career and academic opportunities.

With this initiative, air india plane aims to address the growing demand for skilled professionals in aircraft maintenance and engineering, air india new planes contributing to the development of India’s aviation sector and creating specialized career paths for aspiring engineers.