Air India is bidding adieu to its iconic Boeing 747 aircraft, affectionately known as the ‘Queen of the Skies’ from Mumbai International Airport. The biplane aircraft departed for Plainfield, USA, where it will be dismantled and stripped for parts, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in aviation history.
Air India shared a video clip of the Boeing 747 taking off from Mumbai airport and making a ‘wing wave’ and said it will miss the aircraft’s iconic presence.
“Today we say goodbye to the first of our last ‘Queen of the Skies’, the B747, as it departs from Mumbai. Thank you for an era of majestic flights. We will miss your iconic presence,” the airline said in a message on .
End of an era for Air India
For almost five decades, the Boeing 747 has served Air India faithfully, flying commercial, VVIP and evacuation flights. Airline staff gathered at the airport to say goodbye to this symbol of aviation excellence. The ‘wing wave’ maneuver, a dive of the aircraft from one side to the other, was performed and marked the end of an era for Air India.
Mumbai’s airport operator shared the video clip on X on Monday and said Air India’s Boeing 747 is making its last flight from the airport.
“Catch a glimpse of this historic moment as it takes off from your #GatewayToGoodness giving a perfect send-off wave and leaving us all in awe,” it said.
The legacy of aircraft
The Boeing 747, named Agra, has been part of Air India’s history since its introduction in October 1996. Over the years, it has carried Indian Presidents, Vice Presidents, Prime Ministers and other VVIPs on long international flights, symbolizing luxury and comfort. in the air.
Last flight and retirement
The aircraft’s last commercial flight took place in March 2021 on a domestic route, after which it was withdrawn from active service. Since then, it has been parked at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, awaiting its final journey.
Global shift in aviation
The retirement of the Boeing 747 is part of a broader global trend in aviation, with airlines around the world replacing these iconic aircraft with more efficient and modern aircraft. Air India’s decision to retire its remaining Boeing 747s is in line with this industry shift towards newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft.
New ownership and future
An earlier report by the Economic Times revealed that the four Boeing 747-400 aircraft, including the one that took off from Mumbai, have found a new owner: US-based AerSale, a supplier of commercial jet engines and aftermarket parts. This marks the end of an era for Air India’s Boeing 747s, but opens up new possibilities for the aircraft’s future use in aviation.
The departure of Air India’s Boeing 747 from Mumbai marks the end of an era for the airline and the aviation industry as a whole. The ‘Queen of the Skies’ will be remembered for his role in shaping Air India’s legacy and his contribution to the aviation world. As it embarks on its final journey to the US, the Boeing 747 leaves behind a rich legacy that will be cherished by aviation enthusiasts for years to come.
