Mumbai: An era came to a close on Monday as one of Air India’s Boeing 747s, once the preferred mode of transport for VVIPs including Prime Ministers, Presidents, and Vice-Presidents, took off from Mumbai’s international airport for the last time. The historic jet, famously known as the “queen of the skies,” has been a symbol of the airline’s long-haul international operations for decades.
The Boeing 747 is headed to Panefield in the US, where it is expected to undergo dismantling and be stripped for parts. The aircraft has been with Air India’s fleet since the airline received its first Boeing 747 on March 22, 1971.
The retirement of this aircraft type is part of a global trend, with airlines worldwide opting to replace older, less fuel-efficient jets with newer models offering enhanced efficiency and performance. Air India’s fleet of Boeing 747s has gradually diminished over the years, with the last of these aircraft ceasing operations four years ago.
According to reports from The Economic Times, the four Boeing 747-400 airplanes have found a new owner in US-based AerSale, a leading supplier of aftermarket commercial jet engines and parts. Since their last flight in 2021, these iconic jets have been parked at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.