Moderators: richierich, ua900, PanAm_DC10, hOMSaR
EGTESkyGod wrote:VH-OEF (Qantas OneWorld livery) to retire Sunday 9th February, departing SYD for LAX. From there I presume it will go to VCV.
Cardude2 wrote:EGTESkyGod wrote:VH-OEF (Qantas OneWorld livery) to retire Sunday 9th February, departing SYD for LAX. From there I presume it will go to VCV.
not sure that will happen because their using that plane for the coronavirus flights.
https://samchui.com/2020/02/03/how-qant ... j8IxGjYo2x
ZK-NBT wrote:Cardude2 wrote:EGTESkyGod wrote:VH-OEF (Qantas OneWorld livery) to retire Sunday 9th February, departing SYD for LAX. From there I presume it will go to VCV.
not sure that will happen because their using that plane for the coronavirus flights.
https://samchui.com/2020/02/03/how-qant ... j8IxGjYo2x
VH-OEE is actually the aircraft been used for the Corona virus evacuation flights.
PANAMsterdam wrote:Is the white kangaroo a sticker on the 747's tail? Or are they painting it over with matching red paint?
shankly wrote:BA used B77W G-STBJ on the BA59 CPT run on 15/02 (returning as BA58 on 16/02). Given the need for a downstream 777 crew, this was not a last minute sub, so wondering is this BA dipping its 77W toe on the CPT run as the 52J fleet is slowly whittled down?
upperdeckfan wrote:Is anybody aware of LH 744 strategy? Retirement timeframe? is it affected by 779 delays?
Starfuryt wrote:upperdeckfan wrote:Is anybody aware of LH 744 strategy? Retirement timeframe? is it affected by 779 delays?
I would expect it is since they have to be replaced by something. I'm actually curious what LH strategy is in general regarding quads since they have 80 quads in fleet. Granted the B748s and A380s will fly for a while but that still leaves quite a lot of old quads in their fleet.
-Mikhail
upperdeckfan wrote:Starfuryt wrote:upperdeckfan wrote:Is anybody aware of LH 744 strategy? Retirement timeframe? is it affected by 779 delays?
I would expect it is since they have to be replaced by something. I'm actually curious what LH strategy is in general regarding quads since they have 80 quads in fleet. Granted the B748s and A380s will fly for a while but that still leaves quite a lot of old quads in their fleet.
-Mikhail
Keep in mind the majority of their A346's are relatively young so they could keep them flying for a while too.
Quite related with quads strategy by the LH group is worhty to mention that LX has fully refurbished their A343's which send the message they plan to fly them for a long time.
Slug71 wrote:upperdeckfan wrote:Starfuryt wrote:
I would expect it is since they have to be replaced by something. I'm actually curious what LH strategy is in general regarding quads since they have 80 quads in fleet. Granted the B748s and A380s will fly for a while but that still leaves quite a lot of old quads in their fleet.
-Mikhail
Keep in mind the majority of their A346's are relatively young so they could keep them flying for a while too.
Quite related with quads strategy by the LH group is worthy to mention that LX has fully refurbished their A343's which send the message they plan to fly them for a long time.
The A346 and A343 are being replaced by the A359 and B789. I think the B789 deliveries begin in 2022.
juliuswong wrote:Orient Thai B747-422 HS-STA previously United N187UA, has been scrapped at BKK recently. She spent 18 years with United before moving on with OX for 5 years in 2001, retired for good in 2016.
https://www.planespotters.net/airframe/ ... nes/rqz92r
Have some photo of the scrapping but owner prohibits sharing.
readytotaxi wrote:BA have 5 aircraft due to retire this year, G-CIVD MAY, G-CIVH JUNE, G-CIVI SEP, G-CIVK NOV, G-CIVL NOV.
Probable this will be brought forward?
Arion640 wrote:readytotaxi wrote:BA have 5 aircraft due to retire this year, G-CIVD MAY, G-CIVH JUNE, G-CIVI SEP, G-CIVK NOV, G-CIVL NOV.
Probable this will be brought forward?
I think G-CIVM is also going.
readytotaxi wrote:Arion640 wrote:readytotaxi wrote:BA have 5 aircraft due to retire this year, G-CIVD MAY, G-CIVH JUNE, G-CIVI SEP, G-CIVK NOV, G-CIVL NOV.
Probable this will be brought forward?
I think G-CIVM is also going.
Yes, set for Jan 2021
Arion640 wrote:readytotaxi wrote:Arion640 wrote:
I think G-CIVM is also going.
Yes, set for Jan 2021
She’s going next week now: https://mobile.twitter.com/Tim_the_Pilo ... 0793731073
Arion640 wrote:
factsonly wrote:Stan Wraight, the CEO of aviation consultancy Strategic Aviation Solutions International (SASI based in Hong Kong), has called on AF/KLM Chief Executives to keep the B744Combi in service, now cargo is becoming a major logistics issue. The KLM combi aircraft could fit the need for additional short-term airlift.
Montreal, March 20,2020
An open letter to Ben Smith, Chairman Air France KLM Group and Peter Elbers President KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Gentlemen,
You don’t know me, but I had the honour to work for KLM Cargo for over 32 years culminating with global responsibility for cargo sales and marketing based in Schiphol. Prior to that I was VP cargo and area manager Canada and then Middle East, Asia and Australia.
During my 32 years of service I saw how the B747-400 Combi saved KLM financially on numerous occasions as a true cargo aircraft was needed during the gulf war crisis, SARS etc., and it allowed us to continue operations with at least a break-even result.
Now more than ever these aircraft are needed to support humanitarian requirements for goods and services, keeping supply chains open so that production of these critical health-related supplies flow, and to enable people to retain their jobs in all the continents you serve. It is not an obligation, but it is certainly what morally you should be thinking of doing. The world will thank you in the end for this initiative, and I know the logistics community will back you.
Airlines are flying passenger B787/B777 as freighters through belly hold capacity to help, and I am sure you are looking at that as well. But much of the medical relief goods that people want to ship is volumetric and some of it will be main deck. The best case for a pax 787/777 as a freight-only option is approx. 120 cubic meters.
However the 747-400M (Combi) operated just for freight has seven main deck Q7 possible at 18 cubic meters each, plus a possible 9 lower deck pallets at a minimum 10 cubic meters each, plus bag containers and bulk, easily 230 to 240 cubic meters and this is a mini freighter even with all pax related EIC in place. We regularly achieved over 45 metric tons on the 14-pallet version, flying it for now and the foreseeable future as pure all-cargo alternative, more tonnage will be possible.
Please do the right thing, global shippers, forwarders, health authorities will pay what is needed to ensure you do not lose money if that is an issue, And I am sure the Netherlands Logistics community with its vital role in global trade will be very supportive as well.
We are counting on you,
Sincerely
Stan Wraight
CEO
https://theloadstar.com/an-open-letter- ... 747-combi/
Cardude2 wrote:factsonly wrote:Stan Wraight, the CEO of aviation consultancy Strategic Aviation Solutions International (SASI based in Hong Kong), has called on AF/KLM Chief Executives to keep the B744Combi in service, now cargo is becoming a major logistics issue. The KLM combi aircraft could fit the need for additional short-term airlift.
Montreal, March 20,2020
An open letter to Ben Smith, Chairman Air France KLM Group and Peter Elbers President KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Gentlemen,
You don’t know me, but I had the honour to work for KLM Cargo for over 32 years culminating with global responsibility for cargo sales and marketing based in Schiphol. Prior to that I was VP cargo and area manager Canada and then Middle East, Asia and Australia.
During my 32 years of service I saw how the B747-400 Combi saved KLM financially on numerous occasions as a true cargo aircraft was needed during the gulf war crisis, SARS etc., and it allowed us to continue operations with at least a break-even result.
Now more than ever these aircraft are needed to support humanitarian requirements for goods and services, keeping supply chains open so that production of these critical health-related supplies flow, and to enable people to retain their jobs in all the continents you serve. It is not an obligation, but it is certainly what morally you should be thinking of doing. The world will thank you in the end for this initiative, and I know the logistics community will back you.
Airlines are flying passenger B787/B777 as freighters through belly hold capacity to help, and I am sure you are looking at that as well. But much of the medical relief goods that people want to ship is volumetric and some of it will be main deck. The best case for a pax 787/777 as a freight-only option is approx. 120 cubic meters.
However the 747-400M (Combi) operated just for freight has seven main deck Q7 possible at 18 cubic meters each, plus a possible 9 lower deck pallets at a minimum 10 cubic meters each, plus bag containers and bulk, easily 230 to 240 cubic meters and this is a mini freighter even with all pax related EIC in place. We regularly achieved over 45 metric tons on the 14-pallet version, flying it for now and the foreseeable future as pure all-cargo alternative, more tonnage will be possible.
Please do the right thing, global shippers, forwarders, health authorities will pay what is needed to ensure you do not lose money if that is an issue, And I am sure the Netherlands Logistics community with its vital role in global trade will be very supportive as well.
We are counting on you,
Sincerely
Stan Wraight
CEO
https://theloadstar.com/an-open-letter- ... 747-combi/
not surprised. American Airlines is doing the same thing with their 777-300er's. I think the best-case scenario is that KLM turns these 747's into BCF's. not sure what's going to happen though with PH-BFL and PH-BFN there 2 regular 747-400
ZK-NBT wrote:Cardude2 wrote:factsonly wrote:Stan Wraight, the CEO of aviation consultancy Strategic Aviation Solutions International (SASI based in Hong Kong), has called on AF/KLM Chief Executives to keep the B744Combi in service, now cargo is becoming a major logistics issue. The KLM combi aircraft could fit the need for additional short-term airlift.
Montreal, March 20,2020
An open letter to Ben Smith, Chairman Air France KLM Group and Peter Elbers President KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.
Gentlemen,
You don’t know me, but I had the honour to work for KLM Cargo for over 32 years culminating with global responsibility for cargo sales and marketing based in Schiphol. Prior to that I was VP cargo and area manager Canada and then Middle East, Asia and Australia.
During my 32 years of service I saw how the B747-400 Combi saved KLM financially on numerous occasions as a true cargo aircraft was needed during the gulf war crisis, SARS etc., and it allowed us to continue operations with at least a break-even result.
Now more than ever these aircraft are needed to support humanitarian requirements for goods and services, keeping supply chains open so that production of these critical health-related supplies flow, and to enable people to retain their jobs in all the continents you serve. It is not an obligation, but it is certainly what morally you should be thinking of doing. The world will thank you in the end for this initiative, and I know the logistics community will back you.
Airlines are flying passenger B787/B777 as freighters through belly hold capacity to help, and I am sure you are looking at that as well. But much of the medical relief goods that people want to ship is volumetric and some of it will be main deck. The best case for a pax 787/777 as a freight-only option is approx. 120 cubic meters.
However the 747-400M (Combi) operated just for freight has seven main deck Q7 possible at 18 cubic meters each, plus a possible 9 lower deck pallets at a minimum 10 cubic meters each, plus bag containers and bulk, easily 230 to 240 cubic meters and this is a mini freighter even with all pax related EIC in place. We regularly achieved over 45 metric tons on the 14-pallet version, flying it for now and the foreseeable future as pure all-cargo alternative, more tonnage will be possible.
Please do the right thing, global shippers, forwarders, health authorities will pay what is needed to ensure you do not lose money if that is an issue, And I am sure the Netherlands Logistics community with its vital role in global trade will be very supportive as well.
We are counting on you,
Sincerely
Stan Wraight
CEO
https://theloadstar.com/an-open-letter- ... 747-combi/
not surprised. American Airlines is doing the same thing with their 777-300er's. I think the best-case scenario is that KLM turns these 747's into BCF's. not sure what's going to happen though with PH-BFL and PH-BFN there 2 regular 747-400
Turning them into BCF’s would still take a few months or at least a couple of months, wouldn’t it? Probably not worth it, just fly them as Combis with Freight only if need be.
The 2 regular 744s would likely go the way of the rest of the fleet, scrapped.
Cardude2 wrote:ZK-NBT wrote:Cardude2 wrote:
not surprised. American Airlines is doing the same thing with their 777-300er's. I think the best-case scenario is that KLM turns these 747's into BCF's. not sure what's going to happen though with PH-BFL and PH-BFN there 2 regular 747-400
Turning them into BCF’s would still take a few months or at least a couple of months, wouldn’t it? Probably not worth it, just fly them as Combis with Freight only if need be.
The 2 regular 744s would likely go the way of the rest of the fleet, scrapped.
I agree, but I was talking about for the future. retire the 747-400 for passenger service and retrofit to cargo
United857 wrote:Quick question, is it possible to fly a combi with main deck pallets while the passenger cabin is empty without the center of gravity going out of limits? Since the cargo section is between doors 4 and 5, I'd imagine that would be very tail heavy.