China News Service, August 3, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report, due to the global aviation industry depression caused by the new crown virus epidemic, British Airways (BA) previously announced the retirement of all its Boeing 747 models. Replaced by more efficient aircraft. This move triggered a wave of nostalgia, and employees and airplane fans tried to collect Boeing 747-related souvenirs.
Data map: British Airways passenger plane.
Fifty years of memories of Boeing 747
The first Boeing 747 came out in 1969, and in 2019 Boeing celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 747. The British Airways retired the Boeing 747-400 aircraft, which entered commercial flights in 1988.
According to reports, Boeing has sold nearly 700 747-400 aircraft, which is the most sold 747 aircraft. At present, most of them have been flying for more than 20 years and have been gradually eliminated. Under the new crown epidemic, air travel passengers have fallen sharply, and the aviation industry is facing a huge challenge from obsolete aircraft.
According to statistics from the International Civil Aviation Organization, there are more than 27,000 aircraft in global commercial aviation operations, 20% of which are more than 20 years old and will be gradually retired in the next 10 years.
Data map: Boeing 747 aircraft. Photo by China News Agency reporter Tang Xiaoqing
Where does the "retired" aircraft go
It is reported that most of the retired aircraft will eventually be dismantled and dismantled, or sold to other airlines, or temporarily moved to the desert for storage. The dismantling time of a wide-body airliner such as a Boeing 747 or 777 takes 10-15 weeks.
After British Airways announced that all its Boeing 747 models will be retired, some of British Airways’ Boeing 747 aircraft will be sent to the International Aviation Demolition Yard at Cotswold Airport.
Gregory, the owner of the demolition site, said that not only British Airways is phasing out 747 aircraft, but other major airlines are also phasing out 747 aircraft.
Qantas Airways also ended the last voyage of the Boeing 747 last week. After the final voyage took off, the 747 painted a giant kangaroo in the Sydney sky.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines have been inquiring about aircraft storage facilities. Gregory’s International Aviation Demolition Yard currently has 11 Boeing 747s parked, and the Cotswold Airport has 100 aircraft parking spaces.
Data map: "JumboStay" (JumboStay) modified with a retired Boeing 747 at Stockholm Arlanda International Airport, Sweden. Image source: Visual China
The collection value of aviation legends
With the gradual retirement of the Boeing 747, which has been flying for 50 years, the market for related souvenirs is growing. Gregory said that since the "retirement" news came out, people who wanted to collect Boeing 747 souvenirs kept asking him.
He said that the Boeing 747 is a high-quality aircraft with high flying hours, and related souvenirs are worth collecting. "I receive many enquiry emails from British Airways employees and 747 fans every day. The cabin walls that can be hung on the wall are very inquiries about the bulkheads, and each piece can be cut for 200 pounds."
Sometimes, some businessmen will buy part of the aircraft body, transform it into a restaurant or hotel, or use it as a private collection. Usually such buyers have a higher vision and are willing to collect disassembled 747 aircraft at a high price. Some dismantled airplanes will become movie sets.
The most valuable thing after disassembly of an airplane is the airplane's engine. The value of the disassembled engine accounts for 80% of the entire retired airplane. After some airplanes are disassembled, the cockpit will remain, and airlines use the cockpit to train pilots.