Airlines
Boeing, Atlas Air Celebrate Delivery of Final 747, an Airplane that Transformed Aviation and Global Air Travel
EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Atlas Air Worldwide [Nasdaq: AAWW] joined thousands of people – including current and former employees as well as customers and suppliers – to celebrate the delivery of the final 747 to Atlas, bringing to a close more than a half-century of production.
Boeing employees who designed and built the first 747, known as the “Incredibles,” returned to be honored at the Everett factory where the journey of the 747 began in 1967. The factory produced 1,574 airplanes over the life of the program.
“This monumental day is a testament to the generations of Boeing employees who brought to life the airplane that ‘shrank the world,’ and revolutionized travel and air cargo as the first widebody,” said Stan Deal, president, and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It is fitting to deliver this final 747-8 Freighter to the largest operator of the 747, Atlas Air, where the ‘Queen’ will continue to inspire and empower innovation in air cargo.”
- Largest commercial aircraft: The 747 was the largest commercial aircraft when it was first introduced in 1970, and its size has been surpassed only by the Airbus A380.
- Longest production run: The 747 had the longest production run of any commercial airliner, with continuous production from 1968 to 2021.
- Most units produced: The 747 is the most-produced wide-body airliner in history, with over 1,500 units produced.
- Fastest transatlantic crossing: The 747 set a record for the fastest transatlantic crossing by a commercial airliner, completing the journey in just under 4 hours.
- Most passengers carried: The 747 has carried more passengers than any other commercial airliner, with over 5 billion people flown on the aircraft.
- Most cargoes carried: The 747 is also the most widely used cargo aircraft in the world, having carried more cargo than any other aircraft.
- Longest-range commercial airliner: The 747-8, the latest version of the 747, is capable of flying non-stop for over 8,000 nautical miles, making it the longest-range commercial airliner in the world.
- Most fuel-efficient wide-body airliner: The 747-8 is also one of the most fuel-efficient wide-body airliners, with fuel consumption that is significantly lower than its predecessors.
The-first-manufactured-747-at-Boeing’s-Everett-factory-in-1968-with-cabin-crew-representing-all-the-airlines-with-orders-for-the-aircraft
“We are honored to continue our long history of flying this iconic aircraft for our customers around the world,” said John Dietrich, president, and chief executive officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “Atlas Air was founded over 30 years ago with a single 747-200 converted freighter, and since then, we have spanned the globe operating nearly every fleet type of the 747, including the Dreamlifter, Boeing’s 747 Large Cargo Freighter, for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts. We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation, and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 programs as we operate the aircraft for decades to come.”
As the first twin-aisle airplane and “jumbo jet,” the “Queen of the Skies” enabled airlines to connect people across vast distances and provide non-stop trans-oceanic flights. Its development solidified Boeing’s role as an industry leader in commercial aviation. The airplane’s core design with its distinctive hump and seating in the upper deck has delighted generations of passengers and operators alike. Boeing continued to improve on the original design with models like the 747-400 in 1988 and the final 747-8 model that was launched in 2005; across all the models, the jet has delivered unmatched operating economics and efficiency to travel and air cargo markets.
Airlines
Ex-Cathay Pacific A330-300 Destroyed by Fire during Long-Term Storage at Spain
In a dramatic turn of events, an ex-Cathay Pacific Airbus A330 met a fiery end at Ciudad Real Airport in Spain. The aircraft, with a distinguished service history spanning 28 years, was resting in long-term storage at the airport when disaster struck.
Reports emerged detailing the unfortunate incident, painting a picture of destruction and chaos. The once majestic A330, bearing the serial number MSN113, became engulfed in flames while undergoing dismantling procedures. What began as a routine process turned into a nightmare as a fire erupted in the aircraft’s tail section, quickly spreading to consume the entire fuselage.
Emergency responders, including the Civil Guard, medical teams, and law enforcement personnel, swiftly descended upon the scene to contain the inferno. Despite the intensity of the blaze, their coordinated efforts prevented any injuries among both the public and the brave individuals working to quell the flames.
By mid-afternoon, the Ciudad Real fire service declared victory over the fire, announcing its successful extinguishment. However, the aftermath left behind a trail of questions and concerns. Authorities launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze, with initial findings shrouded in mystery.
The head of the airport expressed astonishment at the unprecedented event, highlighting it as the first instance where airport infrastructure had to grapple with such a significant fire-related challenge. As the investigation unfolds, the aviation community awaits answers, hoping to shed light on the circumstances leading to the demise of the retired Airbus A330.
Airlines
Air India’s last VVIP Boeing 747 now found a new home in USA
In a symbolic transition marking the end of a storied chapter in aviation history, Air India bid farewell to its last remaining Boeing 747-400 jumbo jetliners, once revered for ferrying dignitaries including prime ministers, presidents, and vice presidents.
The sale of these iconic aircraft to AerSale, a company based in the United States, signals the closure of a remarkable era for the airline.
The decision to part ways with the Boeing 747s was driven by practical considerations. Tata Group, the new custodian of airindia flights, deemed these majestic planes uneconomical to operate in today’s aviation landscape. As such, out of the four sold, two will be repurposed into freighters, while the remaining pair will be meticulously disassembled to harness their valuable parts.
The transaction, orchestrated by Mumbai-based Vman Aviation Services, underscores the strategic shift in Air India’s fleet management strategy under its new ownership. Tata Group’s decision to divest from the 747s reflects a commitment to optimizing operational efficiency and aligning with contemporary industry standards.
Skytech-AIC, a UK-based remarketing firm engaged by Tata Group, facilitated the sale of these iconic aircraft, marking the conclusion of their illustrious service with Air India. The airline’s last flight featuring the Boeing 747 took to the skies between Delhi and Mumbai in March 2021, encapsulating decades of distinguished service and indelible memories.
The allure of used aircraft parts continues to resonate across the aviation sector, offering operators a cost-effective alternative without compromising on quality or performance. The transfer of these aircraft to AerSale not only ensures their continued utility but also underscores the enduring legacy of Air India’s fleet.
Airlines
A software error caused grounding the entire airline fleet
On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop advisory for all Alaska Airlines and subcarrier flights due to a software issue, disrupting travel plans for passengers.
The FAA directive, which prohibited the departure of Alaska Airlines mainline and subcarrier flights, was implemented as a precautionary measure following the detection of the software problem. The ground stop was initiated after Alaska Airlines encountered difficulties during a system upgrade related to the calculation of weight and balance for their flights.
As a result, the airline opted for a temporary suspension of all its operations to address the issue and ensure passenger safety. Alaska Airlines promptly issued a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing their commitment to resolving the matter swiftly. “This morning we experienced an issue while performing an upgrade to the system that calculates our weight and balance.
Out of an abundance of caution, we requested a ground stop for all Alaska and Horizon flights, which was instituted at approximately 7:30 a.m. PT,” the statement read. Passengers affected by the disruption voiced their concerns on social media platforms, prompting Alaska Airlines to reassure them of their efforts to minimize the inconvenience and expedite the resumption of flights.
Following approximately an hour-long interruption, the FAA lifted the ground stop order, allowing Alaska Airlines and its subcarriers to resume normal operations. However, it was clarified that SkyWest, which provides regional service for Alaska Airlines and other carriers, was exempt from the ground stop and continued its flights unaffected.
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