SIA To Display Boeing 747-400 At Singapore Airshow 2012

10 February 2012 - Singapore Airlines will be displaying one of three remaining Boeing 747-400s at the upcoming Singapore Airshow 2012, marking the launch of a series of events to commemorate the retirement of its B747 fleet after nearly 40 years of service.

Aircraft ‘9V-SPQ’, which was the last B747-400 delivered to SIA in 2001, will be on static display at the Airshow over 17-19 February 2012.

More than 1,000 members of the public will be invited for guided tours of the aircraft’s cabin on 18 and 19 February. The scheduled tours will showcase the B747’s history with the Airline and the innovative products that were introduced during its time in service. A limited number of specially created boarding passes will be distributed to Airshow visitors for the tours on a first-come, first-served basis.

A series of events commemorating the B747’s many years of service with SIA will also be announced at the Airshow next week.

“The B747 was the flagship aircraft in SIA’s fleet for nearly four decades, serving us through much of our history, and it is only fitting that we mark its retirement in a special way,” said SIA’s Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr Mak Swee Wah.

“The Airshow is an ideal venue for us to begin the countdown to the B747’s retirement, by involving the community and demonstrating how the aircraft has benefited SIA over the years.”

The B747-400 is scheduled to operate its last commercial flight to Melbourne on 24 March 2012, returning to Singapore on 25 March 2012. An additional commemorative flight is also being considered and details will be announced once plans are firmed up.

Background information

Singapore Airlines took delivery of its first B747-200 in 1973. Ten years later, the Airline received its first B747-300 BIGTOP, which enabled SIA to fly non-stop from London to Singapore in 1984. SIA’s first B747-400, also known then as the MEGATOP, arrived in 1989, enabling the Airline to launch non-stop daily services between Singapore and London. In 1994, SIA took delivery of its 23rd B747-400, making the Airline the largest B747-400 operator in the world. By 2003 the SIA Group had a record 51 B747s, comprising 39 B747-400s and 12 B747-400 Freighters. Three B747-400 passenger aircraft remain in service today, while SIA Cargo operates 13 B747-400 Freighters.

A high-resolution photograph of aircraft ‘9V-SPQ’ is available for download here.