British Airways (BA) has announced it’s shutting down its entire Boeing 747 fleet as a result of the downturn in air travel caused by the CCP virus pandemic.
“It is with great sadness that we can confirm we are proposing to retire our entire 747 fleet with immediate effect,” BA said in a statement.
“It is unlikely our magnificent ‘Queen of the Skies’ will ever operate commercial services for British Airways again due to the downturn in travel caused by the COVID-19 global pandemic,” BA said.
BA is currently the world’s biggest operator of Boeing 747-400s. It took delivery of its first 747-400 in July 1989. At its height, BA had a fleet of 57 747 aircraft.
The original aircraft accommodated 27 first class and 292 economy class passengers. Initially, the upper deck contained a lounge, which was known as the “club in the sky.”
The airline will be operating more flights on modern, fuel-efficient aircraft such as A350s and 787s, but BA said the 747s “will always have a special place in our heart.”
British Airways, owned by the International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (IAG), has been heavily hit by the CCP virus pandemic.
