According to Germany’s aero telegram, the Saudis are scrapping the $280 million jumbo jet contracted for the Saudi crown prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi after just 42 hours of flight because no bidders expressed interest in turning it into a cargo plane.
After a decade with no purchasers, a Boeing Jumbo jet designed for Saudi monarchy with only 42 hours of flight time was scrapped in the Arizona desert.
The $280 million Boeing 747-8BBJ was ordered for the Saudi crown prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi, according to Germany’s aero TELEGRAPH, but he passed away in late 2011—a year before the plane was delivered to the Saudi Arabian Royal Flight Group.
The plane sat in Switzerland for ten years after the prince’s passing without taking to the air. No deal was ever made to buy the luxuriously outfitted jumbo jet.
On its final voyage to Arizona in April, Boeing repurchased the aircraft for an undisclosed sum, according to the Daily Mail.
A picture of the plane being wrecked in the Arizona desert was published a few days ago by Twitter user Breaking Aviation News & Videos.
This is the first report of a 747-8 being scrapped, according to Aero TELEGRAPH. The airplane has a three-decade lifespan, but strangely, no bidders expressed interest in turning it into a cargo plane.
A key chapter in the history of aviation was closed earlier this month as Boeing rolled out the final 747 from its plant in Everett, Washington.
Additionally, the 777 widebody aircraft has become increasingly popular among airlines and air cargo companies due to its superior fuel efficiency, which may have prevented the plane from finding a buyer.