The IAG-owned airline British Airways, which is the largest owner in the world of the so-called jumbo jet Boeing 747, has decided to retire the entire fleet of the historic aircraft type.

For over 50 years, Boeing's 747, with its easily recognizable double-decker fuselage with four engines along the wings, has served in the skies for British Airways, but the corona pandemic that has brought the entire industry to its knees has now meant that its days are numbered prematurely.

British Airways writes in a press release that the plan was to retire the fleet in 2024, but current passenger numbers and the forecast for these mean that it is considered unjustifiable to keep the large model in operation.

”"It is with great sadness that we can confirm that we are retiring the entire 747 fleet with immediate effect," British Airways wrote.

The aircraft type was a key factor in opening up aviation to the wider public from the 1970s onwards, but today the Boeing 747 is classified as an outdated design. Modern twin-engine aircraft have clearly better fuel economy.

British Airways, like the rest of the world's airlines, has been plunged into a fight for survival since travel bans and closed borders have hampered virtually all commercial traffic operations.

The British airline is facing further layoffs of up to 12,000 employees, equivalent to 28 percent of its workforce, to ensure that operations can continue.

Boeing has also signaled that the jumbo jet is headed for the grave. A year ago, the aircraft manufacturer informed its suppliers of final order volumes for parts for the model.

Source: Nyhetsbyrån Direkt