KLM 747S
AviationWorld News

The End of an Era: KLM Says Farewell to Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet

1.7k

 

After nearly fifty years, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is retiring the Boeing 747 Jumbo  passenger Jet.

KLM’s final 747 Flight KL686 Boeing 747-406(M) PH-BFT nicknamed ‘City of Tokyo’, departed from Mexico City to Amsterdam Schiphol airport on Sunday 29 March 2020.

The 23 year old aircraft arrived Schiphol at around 15:00 local time broadcast live via the website of Dutch public broadcasting station NH Nieuws.

KLM have operated the iconic Boeing 747 for passenger flights for almost fifty years. In January 1971, the Dutch airline took delivery of its very first Jumbo Jet, Boeing 747-200 PH-BUA ‘Mississippi’. Like many other airlines, KLM also had to construct a new aircraft maintenance hangar, big enough to support the Boeing 747.

KLM 747

The Dutch airline has operated the Jumbo Jet on passenger services to many of its international destinations including New York City, Los Angeles, Sint-Maarten and Tokyo.

KLM had planned to completely phase out the Boeing 747 by May 2021. Unfortunately, due to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak and the resulting dramatic decline in demand for air travel, the Dutch airline was forced to move forward the final passenger flight of its Boeing 747 fleet.

Even though KLM still has three Boeing 747-ERF full freighter aircraft in the fleet and all of these three appear to be still operating cargo flights, this definitely marks the end of an era for Dutch aviation.

So long, Dutch Queen of the Skies. You will be missed…

Leave a comment

Related Articles

US congressman drops bombshell, accuses USAID of funneling taxpayers’ money to Boko Haram, ISIS, Al-Qaeda

A stunning revelation has rocked international circles as American Republican Congressman Scott...

African Union Launches Landmark Credit Rating Agency to Promote Regional Economic Integration

The African Union has taken a significant step towards promoting economic resilience...

Air Peace Flight Incident: Three Passengers Taken Into Custody for Disorderly Conduct

A mid-air incident on an Air Peace flight from London to Lagos...

EU, Germany Unveil Joint Initiative to Enhance Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Capacity

The European Union (EU) and Germany have launched a country window initiative...

Trump Imposes 25% Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum Imports Amid Global Trade Tensions

In a move that is expected to significantly escalate his trade policy...

National Security Seizes US Dollars, Gold Bars, Fake Currency in Ghana

In a stunning operation, Ghana’s National Security has seized a large, unspecified...

US eliminates visa dropbox service for Nigerians amid overstay fear

The US Embassy in Nigeria has quietly removed the drop box visa...

Kemi Badenoch’s Citizenship Plan Sparks Outrage: “Burning the Ladder” for Future Immigrants?

Kemi Badenoch’s proposal to increase the waiting period for British citizenship from...

Trump Unveils Plan to Take Over Gaza Strip, Resettle Palestinians

“The US will take over the Gaza Strip and we will do...

NCAA Takes On Kenya Airways Over Alleged Passenger Mistreatment

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Kenya Airways are embroiled in...

New York United Airlines Plane Catches Fire on Runway, Passengers Terrified, Evacuated

Few days after a plane and copter collided in the air in...

Trump Cuts Funding to South Africa Over Land Reform Policies

“The issue of land ownership has long been a contentious one in...

Trump’s Tariffs Spark EU Backlash, Bloc Vows to Retaliate if….

The European Union on Sunday blasted US President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs...

Horror as Nigerian doctor in US takes own life

A 36-year-old Nigerian cardiologist, Ikenna Erinne, based in the United States, has...

Trump launches trade war against Mexico, Canada, China, imposes sweeping tariffs on goods

President Donald Trump of the United States on Saturday followed through on...

After 2024 presidential defeat, US Democrats anoint new leader, Ken Martin, to take on Trump

After 2024 presidential defeat, US Democrats anoint new leader, Ken Martin, to...

Just In: 6 Feared Dead After Medical Plane Crashes Near Philadelphia Mall

A small medical plane carrying six people crashed near a shopping center...

Casualties as 60-passenger plane collides with chopper in Washington airport

Many are feared dead in an accident involving an American Airlines carrying...

Breaking: Passenger Jet crashes into Potomac River in Washington, after Mid-air collision with helicopter

An American Airlines regional jet has reportedly collided midair with a military...

Just in: NCAA slaps Max Air with 3-month suspension over Kano incident

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended Max Air’s domestic flight...