End clap for the legendary Boeing 747 “Jumbo Jet”. The aircraft manufacturer officially announced Wednesday that it would cease production of its aircraft in 2022, which airlines are gradually withdrawing from their fleets. Launched in 1970, Boeing's “Jumbo-Jet” can carry more than 600 passengers in certain configurations.
But such capacity - and the fuel consumption it implies - made it less profitable for companies hit by the drop in air travel since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Maintenance will remain assured
"Given the current market dynamics and outlook, we will stop production of the iconic 747 in 2022," aircraft manufacturer general manager David Calhoun said in a message to employees. “Our commitment to our customers does not end with delivery, and we will continue to support 747 maintenance for a long time to come,” he added.
The aircraft, of which 1,571 units have been ordered in total, had already almost ceased to fly in the United States when the American company Delta withdrew it from its passenger transport fleet in 2017.
But the 747 saw its slow agony accelerate with the coronavirus pandemic which prompted several companies including Qantas, British Airways and Lufthansa to recently announce that they were going to part ways with it.
However, Boeing has continued to manufacture 747s for freight transport and military operations until now. The plane can also still count on the support of the President of the United States and his Air Force One since two 747-8, larger, more modern, faster and less greedy in kerosene than the current 747-200, are expected by the White House.
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