SAA201 From South Africa, joined May 2001, 505 posts, RR: 2 Posted (7 years 2 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1927 times:
Hi all,
SAA's B747-444, ZS-SAW 25152 (861) "Bloemfontein" left South Africa for the very last time from Jo'burg International at 1206z today on a non-stop flight to Xiamen (XMN / ZSAM) as SA4288, still in full SAA colours. This was the delivery flight of the aircraft to Cathay Pacific Airways. Over the next few months the aircraft will be undergoing a conversion to a full freighter and will thereafter join Cathay's Cargo fleet.
Sister aircraft, ZS-SAV, will be doing her last flight for SAA this week and will be also be delivered to Cathay soon.
Andz From South Africa, joined Feb 2004, 8298 posts, RR: 11 Reply 5, posted (7 years 2 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 1859 times:
I just told my wife and she is very sad, she was aboard the 744 when it visited Bloemfontein for the naming ceremony. For those who have visited BFN you can imagine that a 744 arriving there caused a lot of attention!
ZS-SAV "Durban" was SAA's first 744, delivered on 20 January 1991. I remember the welcoming ceremony in Hangar 8 at JNB, the plane did a low fly by then circled round and landed, it taxied in almost among the tables where the guests were seated. I still have the commemorative model that was on the table that day.
Master stroke by SAA... hey we haven't got enough capacity, let's get rid of some aircraft!
After Monday and Tuesday even the calendar says WTF...
Tod From Denmark, joined Aug 2004, 1682 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (7 years 2 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 1744 times:
Quoting SAA201 (Reply 6): The aircraft only left at 12:06 GMT today (intact), so as I type this it is still in the air on the way to Xaimen!!!
Ah hah, that means that the CX people sitting across the conference table from me right now are pulling my leg telling me that they need know what I want removed immediately because the process started.
SAA201 From South Africa, joined May 2001, 505 posts, RR: 2 Reply 11, posted (7 years 2 months 1 week 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 1705 times:
Quoting LHR27C (Reply 8): It does seem SAA are losing interest in their 744s, CPT-LHR-CPT is all A346 now
That's because SAA will only have 6 B744's in their fleet now. They'll be used for 2 daily JNB-LHR-JNB flights and on the IAD and LOS routes. On certain days they'll also do day flights from JNB to CPT and LAD.
Thank you SAA201, I already rubbed there noses in it.
Quoting SAA201 (Reply 10): Please take good care of our aerie, she is a beaut!
Looking forward to it.
Did some plumbing and air conditioning mods to zone B on these back around 1995.
Nice plane, sad to see SA reducing their 744 fleet.
At least they are going to a good home.
CX will be kind to them.
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