UPS completes last DC-8 revenue flight

UPS recently completed the last revenue flight for its DC-8 as the carrier recently said it was accelerating plans to shed those aircraft after talks with DHL over a proposed deal reportedly ended.

In May 2008 DHL announced plans to transfer its US air express operations to UPS from Air Transport Services Group subsidiary ABX Air. The deal drew criticism from officials in ABX's Wilmington, Ohio base, and also triggered scrutiny from US legislators.

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During a recent speech UPS President Bob Lekites said the company was saving the DC-8s for potential DHL flying.

"We would have liked to do business with them but it looks like they are going out on their own," he said.

Prior to the proposed DHL deal faltering, UPS had planned to shed its DC-8s in 2013. The carrier currently owns 44 of the aircraft, and nine are still active.

UPS says its planned methods to dispose of the DC-8s are sales, parting out, selling of scrap parts and recycling when possible.

Most of the carrier's DC-8s are 38-42 years old. The first DC-8 flight operated by UPS was N88OUP on 1 February 1988 from Louisville to Milwaukee.