After ruling the skies for years, Air India’s iconic jumbo jet Boeing 747 finally bid adieu to the sky today. The aircraft made its last take-off from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 10:47 AM, marking the end of an era.
The pilot on board performed a Wing Wave, a typical gesture in the sky when an aircraft reaches retirement age. At one point the aircraft used to serve as the backbone of the carrier’s flying operations and was utilized for long-haul overseas flight operations.
While sharing the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, a chief technical officer of Air India Ltd, Sisira Kanta Dash wrote, “The queen VT-EVA, Boeing 747-400, new Reg N940AS leaving BOM-PAE. Lots of effort many meetings. Many people working behind the scene to make this happen. Thank you all, the post added.
Ever since the post was shared on the internet, users filled the social media platform X with the posts, explaining their first experience with the flight.
One of the users wrote, “Was on the last commercial AI 747 flight 3 years ago, operated by this very frame (VT-EVA). My first 747 flight was in 1977 (when AI was still JRD’s airline), aboard Emperor Rajendra Chola out of BOM. Lump in the throat seeing the wing-wave goodbye as former VT-EVA departed BOM.”
Another user wrote, ” There she goes @Nomadic_OMD 223 with an (ex) Air India 747. Flies nonstop to the US (PAE). Landing in BOM the next time will hit differently. I hope there is a wing wave on departure.”
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the airline is now left with four Boeing 747-400 airplanes, which already have found new owners from the US. It is AerSale, a global supplier of aftermarket commercial jet engines and deals with related parts.
first published: April 22, 2024, 16:15 IST
