Boeing 747s at Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, February 2020
Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, formally referred to as RAF Bruntingthorpe is currently an aircraft storage facility located just south of Leicester. Due to its unique 3200m x 60m runway it can allow the landing of most aircraft to which can be stored in many of the vacant parking aprons.
This report includes just two of the aircraft onsite. SX-OAD Boeing 747 formally Olympic Airways and VP-BGX Boeing 747 from Transaero Airlines.
Obviously there are dozens of aircraft on the site. However we decided to take our time on this occasion.
In all honesty it is unclear exactly why these planes have been left here at this particular aerodrome. But the following brief history will cover the fall of the two airline companies that used to own them.
The SX-OAD has been partially converted into a filming studio which is no longer used. At least I'd hope not with the amount of mould in there. And the VP-BGX is completely untouched with oxygen masks still situated under the seats.
History of Olympic Airways
Olympic Airways was founded on April 6th 1957. It was Greece's leading airline company. It operated to 32 destinations world wide with its main base being Athens International Airport. The company also owned hubs at Thessaloniki International Airport in Macedonia, Heraklion International Airport, Rhodes International Airport and from 2007 the company also owned a base at London Heathrow International Airport. At this point in time the airline employed roughly 8,500 staff.
In March 2009 the decision was made to sell flight operations. By the time October rolled around, Olympic Airways had ceased all operations and the majority of flights. The company was privatised from this point and was renamed from Olympic Airways to Olympic Airlines.
Onward from here the company didn't last long as near enough all flights the Olympic Airways had previously run had been replaced by different airline firms. Finally on December 31st 2009, the company ceased.
History of Transaero Airlines
Transaero Airlines began its life as an air charter business (aircraft rental firm). It was Russian owned and began operation in 1990. It wasn't long however until the company transformed into a privately owned airline.
Come the 11th of July 2005, Transaero Airlines was the first Russian passenger airline firm to operate Boeing 747's. The airline used the 747's for services between Moscow and Canada. The first flight of this kind was dispatched on the 21st of June 2006.
In 2007 the company replaced all its old 747-200/300s with brand new 747-400s.
By the time 2015 rolled around the firm was running into financial difficulties. Now in debt, Aeroflot agreed to purchase 75% of the Transaero Airlines company.
Although this didn't last long as Aeroflot backed out on the agreement leaving Transaero in an even bigger debt of 3.9 billion euros.
Another company wishing to buy the firm also fell short and the sale was off. At this point the Russian authorities decided to revoke Transaero's air operating certificate. And so the company collapsed.
SX-OAD and Olympic Airways Boeing 747 was the first of the two we entered.
Unfortunately the cockpit was stripped in this one.
And this is what I meant by it being used as a film set at one stage..
And here is the VP-BGX. This one was by far the best of the two. Not stripped at all.
Although it may not look it from the external shots, but we actually spent the entire night here. If you know me well, you know I can't resist an overnight intrusion.
Thanks for reading.
Bruntingthorpe Aerodrome, formally referred to as RAF Bruntingthorpe is currently an aircraft storage facility located just south of Leicester. Due to its unique 3200m x 60m runway it can allow the landing of most aircraft to which can be stored in many of the vacant parking aprons.
This report includes just two of the aircraft onsite. SX-OAD Boeing 747 formally Olympic Airways and VP-BGX Boeing 747 from Transaero Airlines.
Obviously there are dozens of aircraft on the site. However we decided to take our time on this occasion.
In all honesty it is unclear exactly why these planes have been left here at this particular aerodrome. But the following brief history will cover the fall of the two airline companies that used to own them.
The SX-OAD has been partially converted into a filming studio which is no longer used. At least I'd hope not with the amount of mould in there. And the VP-BGX is completely untouched with oxygen masks still situated under the seats.
History of Olympic Airways
Olympic Airways was founded on April 6th 1957. It was Greece's leading airline company. It operated to 32 destinations world wide with its main base being Athens International Airport. The company also owned hubs at Thessaloniki International Airport in Macedonia, Heraklion International Airport, Rhodes International Airport and from 2007 the company also owned a base at London Heathrow International Airport. At this point in time the airline employed roughly 8,500 staff.
In March 2009 the decision was made to sell flight operations. By the time October rolled around, Olympic Airways had ceased all operations and the majority of flights. The company was privatised from this point and was renamed from Olympic Airways to Olympic Airlines.
Onward from here the company didn't last long as near enough all flights the Olympic Airways had previously run had been replaced by different airline firms. Finally on December 31st 2009, the company ceased.
History of Transaero Airlines
Transaero Airlines began its life as an air charter business (aircraft rental firm). It was Russian owned and began operation in 1990. It wasn't long however until the company transformed into a privately owned airline.
Come the 11th of July 2005, Transaero Airlines was the first Russian passenger airline firm to operate Boeing 747's. The airline used the 747's for services between Moscow and Canada. The first flight of this kind was dispatched on the 21st of June 2006.
In 2007 the company replaced all its old 747-200/300s with brand new 747-400s.
By the time 2015 rolled around the firm was running into financial difficulties. Now in debt, Aeroflot agreed to purchase 75% of the Transaero Airlines company.
Although this didn't last long as Aeroflot backed out on the agreement leaving Transaero in an even bigger debt of 3.9 billion euros.
Another company wishing to buy the firm also fell short and the sale was off. At this point the Russian authorities decided to revoke Transaero's air operating certificate. And so the company collapsed.
SX-OAD and Olympic Airways Boeing 747 was the first of the two we entered.
Unfortunately the cockpit was stripped in this one.
And this is what I meant by it being used as a film set at one stage..
And here is the VP-BGX. This one was by far the best of the two. Not stripped at all.
Although it may not look it from the external shots, but we actually spent the entire night here. If you know me well, you know I can't resist an overnight intrusion.
Thanks for reading.
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