Orly | 15 JUN 2020
A dark day for all aviation & B747 lovers.
After more than 30 years of operations, the departure of the last French Boeing 747 leaves Corsair after having transported more than 7 million passengers and operated more than 2,000 times around the Earth.
1988 marked the start of Jumbo life at Corsair, then recognized as the largest commercial aircraft in the world. Very appreciated by the company's customers, in particular in the Antilles and Reunion thanks to its spacious cabin, its upper deck and its 4 engines, the 747 has made it possible to respond concretely to the boom in traffic and the increasing congestion of the sky. . Corsair offers configurations up to 592 seats and allows millions of travelers to move.
The legendary Queen of the Skies has transported the company's customers around the world by carrying out exceptional flights for more than 30 years, whether on behalf of pilgrims, medical flights, special missions for the UN or cultural and sports operations. The 747 has also marked the memories of thousands of customers who flew to distant destinations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tahiti and Bangkok.
Corsair was one of the only two air carriers in the world to have operated all versions of the 747, from 100 to 400, via the SP.
Preceded by its two little brothers, the SUN and the SEA, which left on June 9 and 12 respectively after having transported more than 7 million passengers each, the TUI leaves the Corsair fleet having exceeded the emblematic threshold of 100,000 flight hours.
Relive below the departure by pictures & videos with courtesy of many contributors
Small reception inside the HN7 hangar, under the emotion-filled eyes of Corsair employees and many 747 enthusiasts, It is not only an event for Corsair but it's a historic moment for French aviation. After the retirment of Air France 747 in 2016, Corsair was the last French company to used the 747.
Towing
Push-back
Water Salute
Take-off RWY25
Low Pass over RWY25/07
Arrival • GBA
Final Landing
@ Corsair International [ SS / CRL ] France
Boeing 747-422 • msn 26875 / 931
• ENG : 4x PW PW4056
• REG : F-GTUI
@ Aircraft History :
• 06.AUG.1992 : First flight / Built site Everett ( KPAE ) WA USA
• 24.AUG.1992 : Delivered / United Airlines / N186UA / cabin config F14C73Y260
• 07.APR.2005 : Sold / Corsairfly / F-GTUI / cabin config C24Y558
• NOV.2012 : Painted new color / Corsair International / cabin config C36Y497
• APR.2017 : New config cabin C12W18Y491
• 26.MAR.2020 : WFU / Stored ORY
• 15.JUN.2020 : Ferry Flight / CRL747 ORY-GBA / Stored
The withdrawal of the Boeing aircraft has given way to the gradual introduction of newer, more efficient and cleaner aircraft.
For Corsair, the exit of the 747 is the sign of a new era which is opening up and which will significantly improve the operational efficiency of the company. Corsair has in fact programmed for over a year the renewal and modernization of its fleet to include all Airbus, with 5 NEOs already ordered which will gradually integrate the fleet depending on the recovery in demand.
These aircraft which will replace the Boeing, which are too greedy in kerosene, will allow very significant progress in terms of environmental protection. The takeoff noise footprint will be reduced by 60%. Each year, Corsair will also contribute to the improvement of its carbon footprint, with 94,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per aircraft. Finally, the emissions of harmful substances emitted by NEO engines will be 18.5% lower than the ICAO standard, a difference from the 747 by 32%.
These improvements are fully consistent with growing concerns about the environmental impact of the airline industry, and meet the recommendations made in the aeronautics support plan for a clean aircraft in 2035.
Pascal de Izaguirre, Chief Executive Officer, declares “The 747 will have been at Corsair the plane of all superlatives whether in terms of kilometers flown, hours flown or the number of customers we have enjoyed transporting . Today, we are opening a new page in the history of our company and its future, which is being built with a more modern, more efficient and more competitive fleet. It is also proof of our commitment to contribute to the transformation of a greener and more environmentally friendly aviation sector. "
A big Thanks to
"Nico & Anne Sophie, Frédéric ; Thierry Wheeler & Ludgi"
for your contribution