Virgin Atlantic’s last Boeing 747-400 is set to be transformed into a troop carrier. Atlas Air is planning to operate the aircraft as a troop carrier.
The final Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747-400, with registration G-VROY, is estimated to make its final departure from London Heathrow on 16th December. As reported by FlightGlobal, the aircraft has already undergone an acceptance check by its lessor.
The Boeing 747-400 is due to depart Wednesday or Thursday to Pinal Airpark where it will be taken up by Atlas Air as a troop carrier.
Before its final departure, the airline hosted a farewell event in its maintenance hangar at London Heathrow last week. Atlas Air is taking on three of Virgin’s former 747s, including this last aircraft.
In a statement, Virgin Atlantic Chief Customer and Operating Officer, Corneel Koster said:
“The much-loved Boeing 747 has played an important role in Virgin Atlantic’s story. It carried our first passengers to New York 36 years ago on our inaugural flight and over the years has transported countless millions of holiday-makers and business travelers safely around the world.”
Virgin Atlantic has now completed the retirement of its entire fleet of four-engined 747s and Airbus A340s in favor of cleaner, greener, twin-engine aircraft, comprised of the Airbus A350-1000 and the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.