Boeing‘s (NYSE: BA) The group of iconic airplane brands has taken another hit from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two months ago, Delta Airlines It made headlines when he announced plans to “permanently withdraw” all 18 Boeing 777 aircraft from his fleet. A month later, news came from north of the border that Air Canada is recalling its latest Boeing 767.
Now it’s 747’s turn.
Image source: Boeing.
As reported by the BBC this morning, British flag carrier British Airways has confirmed that it will withdraw all of its 31 Boeing 747 jumbo jets “with immediate effect”, 10% of BA’s fleet. (BA’s 747 fleet is the largest in the airline industry. Globally, about 500 747 remain in service today.)
The announcement marks the end of a nearly six-decade history of BA flying the 747, with the move depriving the airline of its fastest wheel. As the BBC notes, the 747 is the “fastest-operating commercial aircraft, with a top speed of just over 650 mph.”
Coronavirus, of course, is to blame. With decreased air traffic, airlines are under pressure to cut costs, and the four-engine 747 is more expensive to operate than a twin-engine 787 or 777. Therefore, as a British Airways spokesperson explained, “it is unlikely that our magnificent” Queen of Heaven will re-operate commercial services for British Airways due to the travel recession caused by the global pandemic COVID-19. “
That said, the blow is not as strong as it might seem for Boeing. The aircraft maker is rumored to have cut 747 production, and earlier this month, Bloomberg named 2022 as the last year of 747 production. British Airways was already planning to withdraw its 747 fleet in 2024.
Today’s announcement only brings that date forward four years.
