Delta Parking 747-200s, Q1 Earnings Report

[ChrisW]

Long-rumored, much discussed/refuted, but Delta has finally announced plans to retire the fleet of NWA 747-200 (2) and 747-200 Freighters (7) by the end of 2009. There was talk of using these planes to Africa (Lagos specifically). The retirement of the -200 was looked at very closely but, ultimately, given the current economic environment the decision was made to put these birds to pasture. Delta will not replace these aircraft.

With respect to Lagos; the discontinuation of the Kuwait City service has made a 777 available and it will be dispatched on the ATL-LOS service effective 02Jun (this schedule change should hit schedules on Monday).

Expect further details in today's Q1 earnings report.

UPDATE - Q1 report now available: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Delta-Air ... .html?.v=1

[G-BOAD]

Sad news for the spotter. Do you know the current NWA 742 schedule; I would like to catch it before it is retired.

[ChrisW]

I don't follow the cargo operation that much. I do know that the 2 passenger frames are used for charters only. They tend to show up at VCV (George AFB) doing AMC work fairly regularly. When they aren't in use, they're usually parked idle at MSP.

If you want to get shots of NWA Cargo, go to ANC or NRT. You're guaranteed to catch them there (until the end of the year of course).

[ChrisW]

Look for an additional 40-50 mainline aircraft being removed from service towards the end of the year (a further 10% international capacity reduction). A number of DC-9, MD-88, 757-200, 767-300, 767-300ER, and 747-400 frames have been identified for retirement.

[MarkLawrence]

Are the DC-9's going to be totally phased out in this??

[T-Bird76]

I was just reading this. Delta also is adding a $50 checked bag fee for the second checked bag on Intl flights. Shame about the NWA 742s, but air cargo revenue from all the freight companies has all but collapsed. NWA was the last U.S Flagged carrier to have a dedicated cargo fleet...we've just seen the end of another era in the history of U.S airlines. :(

[ChrisW]

Elite customers and active duty military are not subject to this new bag fee, btw. I expect our competitors to follow suit.

[ChrisW]

Are the DC-9's going to be totally phased out in this??

We keep hearing that the DC-9-50 will stay around the longest (no more than 5 years). The -30s and -40s are definitely on the chopping block, which is why you haven't seen any repainted into the new livery as yet. They will probably make up a good number of the 40-50 frames to be dumped.