As airlines cut flights, that means they don’t have the need for as many planes. Some of those planes are still very airworthy and it is not time for them to be destroyed. A large number of these planes end up in one of a few desert holding yards (not graveyards, since some of them “come back to life”).
About 1,700 planes over the past few years have been taken out of service due to lower demand and older age. According to Ascent Worldwide, plane storage has increased 29% in the past year to over 2,300.
For planes that are still airworthy and hopefully will fly again one day, it can be quite costly to keep them passing their mandated maintenance. Storing a Boeing 747 with hopes of flying again can run about $60,000.00 per year. Yes, that is pricey, but much cheaper than having to buy another 747 in a few years if ticket sales go up again.
Visiting one of these desert parking lots can be very exciting and sad for an airline enthusiast.
A cargo handler working for JetBlue decided to take a little nap at a bad time. He fell asleep in the planes cargo bin and didn’t realize what was going on until in the air. Lucky for him, the cargo hold was heated which allowed him to live to tell his tale.
He took the short flight from New York to Boston and after be determined it was all an honest mistake, he was allowed to return to New York. No word if he will be one of many people newly unemployed.
When first seeing this livery, I thought it might be some new Russian airline — red star and all. However, it is an Australian and Singapore airline started in May 2004.
When first seeing this livery, I thought it might be some new Russian airline — red star and all. However, it is an Australian and Singapore airline started in May 2004.
