A Boeing 747-8 is being dismantled for the first time. The ten-year-old aircraft with registration N458BJ is being stripped of valuable parts in Marana, Arizona, on behalf of Boeing. These can then be reused in other Jumbo jets.

Boeing built the N458BJ more than ten years ago for the Saudi crown prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz, but the prince died before he could use the aircraft. The 747 was then transferred to Basel in Switzerland for the installation of a luxurious VIP interior.

It soon became clear that Saudi Arabia was no longer interested in the aircraft, which is why it remained unused in Basel for years. The contract for the adjustments to the interior was canceled and the aircraft was for sale for a long time. For a long time no one was willing to pay the desired amount.

In 2019, the 747 was taken over by leasing company Aircraft Finance Germany (AFG), but that party also failed to find a customer for it, after which AFG sold the aircraft back to Boeing at the beginning of this year. The American aircraft manufacturer is now dismantling the aircraft.

According to various media this Jumbo jet has flown less than twenty times in total. The last flight took place in April, from Basel to Pinal Airpark in Marana, Arizona. Many aircraft are dismantled or stored for long periods at that airport.

The 747-8 is the last generation of 747s. The type was developed by Boeing as a competitor to the A380, but like the double-decker Airbus, it never became a great success. The non-VIP passenger version only flies with three airlines (Lufthansa, Korean Air and Air China).

Early next year, Boeing will deliver the very last new 747-8, a freighter that will fly for Kuehne+Nagel at Atlas Air. On Sunday, that aircraft made its first test flight. The production line is already being dismantled. Airlines prefer to opt for more economical, twin-engine aircraft.

--- DB4 - 20220519
* Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)