British Airways has brought forward the retirement of FIVE of its Boeing 747-400 fleet to this week.
In a sad move for the dwindling worldwide fleet of active passenger 747s, the coronavirus outbreak has seemingly taken its latest victims.
The aircraft, which were all stored at London Heathrow and not due for retirement until next year at the earliest, are now being flown to Kemble Cotswold Airport and are unlikely to fly again.
Scrapping company ASI are receiving the aircraft, which will be parted out and scrapped over coming months.
G-CIVL arriving. Photo (c) Cotswold Airport
The first aircraft, G-CIVL (wearing the OneWorld livery) arrived at the Gloucestershire airport today (14th April). It will be followed by these aircraft over coming days:
- G-CIVJ (Wednesday 15th April)
- G-CIVK (Thursday 16th April)
- G-CIVN (Thursday 16th April)
- G-CIVH (Friday 17th April)
Sadly we don’t recommend you going out to catch their arrivals, and you should stay at home.
If you still need to see these aircraft, I’m sure they’ll still be resident for a while – hopefully after the lockdown restrictions are lifted.
You can keep an eye on which aircraft are resident at Kemble here: https://www.airportspotting.com/storage-lists/kemble-uk/
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10 comments
Just wait…..
They will all be back to comply with passenger separation standards……!!??
I’m feeling sorry and sad to read it
I loved flying with the 747-400 special on the upper deck good bye old friend and rip
G-CIVN just blasted off from LHR bound for Kemble. Went off and up like a Lightning !!
You should have seen it land at Kemble, i did. She came in high and slow then he popped it onto the piano keys and had her stopped in very short distance with max reberse thrust. Super, professional handling. Pilots wife and kids were watching too. A nice touch. So sad to see th -400s going.
Sounds amazing! Thanks Fraser.
Yes a real kick in the guts to see some of the BA 747-400s being retired early, sadly missed world wide. Am fortunate to have had many 747-400 flights over the years including jump seat trips. Stiil, BA are not retiring them all, look on the bright side !
Hi Matt do we know when CIVH and CIVK are due to fly to Kemble?
Hi Steve, no they seem to have been delayed. Will report on them as soon as they arrive.
Matt
Caught G-CIVN landing at San Diego International Airport late last year. Appears on the video at about 11:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtrYPRAz-EE
It is very devastating and heartbreaking to see 747-400’s getting to retire! I was flying with BA 747-400’s to London for my last time. I was glad to take numerous pictures of wonderful BA 747-400’s in London Heathrow airport in October 2018. Thank you very much for giving me a great flying with special BA 747-400’s and wonderful BA airline employees! It was so fun to be around.