Retired BA 747 to become events venue
British Airways will permanently retire one of its Boeing 747s at Cotswold Airport, near Kemble in Gloucestershire.
The airport plans to convert an area of its interior to be used as a unique business, conferencing and private hire venue, as well as a cinema for locals and an educational facility for school trips.
The aircraft is painted in the unique Negus livery which adorned British Airways planes in the 1970s and 1980s.
The aircraft was one of four painted in heritage liveries to mark the airline’s centenary last year. It was also one of the final two British Airways 747s to leave Heathrow last month.
The aircraft will be open to the public from spring 2021.
Suzannah Harvey, CEO of Cotswold Airport, said: "Locals and visitors will be able to see and experience one of the most iconic passenger aircraft of its time."
Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways, said: "It was with great sadness that we retired our two final 747s based at Heathrow earlier this month, so we’re glad Cotswold Airport is able to give one of these aircraft a new home and a new lease of life.
"The 747, and the Negus livery, are iconic in British Airways’ past, and we hope locals and visitors will enjoy seeing this slice of history for years to come."
A large percentage of all money raised from events on the aircraft will be used to support Cotswold Airport’s scholarship programme and charities.
Every year the scholarship helps 10 students who have an interest in aviation related sectors or careers to undertake instructional flight time or experience various aviation career environments.
Many students have gone on to careers in the Navy and RAF.
By Lisa James, Deputy Editor (UK)
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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