Scandinavian Airlines’ final three Boeing MD-80s were retired from operations on 26 October, ending 28 years of service with the carrier.
To mark the event, the airline performed a special service with one example, carrying out a 2h tour of Denmark. Flypasts were made at Aalborg and Billund airports, followed by the Storebælt and Øresund bridges.
Finally, the MD-80 made a low pass at Copenhagen airport, before landing for the last time as part of the Scandinavian Airlines fleet.
Piloting the aircraft (LN-RMM) were the carrier’s chief MD-80 pilot Ulrik Pedersen and Capt Dirch Hansen. The latter was full of praise for the twinjet: “It was a solid aircraft that was able to cope well with the harsh winter weather found in northern Norway.”
The carrier, which at one point operated 66 MD-80s, has replaced them with Airbus A320s. Deliveries of 30 additional A320neo aircraft will commence in 2016.
Source: Flight International