BRITISH Airways is retiring its entire Boeing 747 “Jumbo Jet” fleet, said the UK flag carrier today, following the huge hit to international air travel caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is with great sadness that we can confirm we are proposing to retire our entire 747 fleet with immediate effect,” said the airline in a statement to AFP.

“It is unlikely that our magnificent ‘queen of the skies’ will ever operate commercial services for British Airways again due to the downturn in travel caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The 400-passenger 747 was launched by Boeing in 1970, and dominated international air travel and cargo over the following decades.

With 31 Jumbos in its fleet, British Airways currently flies more of the planes than any other airline, according to the statement.

It said the last had been due to retire in 2024, as the carrier turns to more modern and fuel-efficient models like Boeing’s 787 and the Airbus A350.

The virus crisis has battered the air transport sector, with the latest casualty United Airlines warning last week that it could lay off as many as 36,000 workers.

Virgin Australia has also collapsed, and is being bought by a US company.

In May, British Airways’ owner, IAG, reported a net loss of €1.68 billion (RM8.2 billion) in the three months to the end of March.

The airline has announced plans to lay off 12,000 staff, and last month was reported to be selling off artworks by Damien Hirst, Bridget Riley and Peter Doig thought to be worth millions to raise funds.

Boeing itself has announced 16,000 layoffs. – AFP, July 17, 2020.