South African Airways will try again to phase out its Boeing 747-400 fleet at the end of this year.
The Star Alliance carrier first grounded its remaining 747-400s in 2007 as part of a fleet and network restructuring. But while the grounding was initially intended to be permanent, SAA decided to reactivate part of its 747-400 fleet in late 2008.
SAA's new chief executive Siza Mzimela says two 747-400s operating its Johannesburg to Lagos and Luanda routes are scheduled to permanently exit SAA's fleet "at the end of the year".
 |
|---|
© HAMFive/AirTeamImages.com |
The carrier will begin taking six new Airbus A330-200s in early 2011 on lease, which although mainly seen as a replacement for A340-200s will also allow the carrier to pursue a permanent phase-out of its 747s.
SAA has been a long-standing 747 customer, having introduced the -200 model in 1971, and operated the SP and -300 variants.
At one point it flew 10 747-400s, but returned one batch of aircraft in 2006 and a second batch after the 2007 restructuring was initiated.
Source: Flight International
