Boeing pulls plug on the 747, ending the era of the jumbo jet

© Allan Clegg

Bloomberg has reported that Boeing, quietly, is ending its 747 production programme, but has yet to tell employees. The manufacturer makes half a 747 each month – and the last will come off the production line in about two years. It comes as part of an industry-wide strategy to use smaller aircraft, mirroring the retirement by many carriers of the huge A380. But the move to end production will come as a blow to the cargo industry, which continues to like the nose-loading aircraft – all remaining orders are now for the freighter version. The article also notes that UPS was one of the customers that picked up one of Volga-Dnepr’s rejected aircraft, in time for the peak season. An interesting read. (Bloomberg allows three free articles per month, so you may need a subscription to read this)