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'End of an era' as DC-10 makes last international trip 'End of an era' as DC-10 makes last international trip
(1 day later)
The final international flight of a DC-10 passenger aircraft has taken off from Dhaka, Bangladesh. The final international flight of a DC-10 passenger aircraft has landed in Birmingham.
It marks the last such journey for the three-engine plane, which first went into service in 1971.It marks the last such journey for the three-engine plane, which first went into service in 1971.
The flight, which departed Dhaka at about 03:00 GMT, is due to land at Birmingham Airport at 16:30 GMT. The flight, which departed Dhaka at about 03:00 GMT on Thursday, landed at Birmingham Airport at 17:55 GMT.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines - the last commercial passenger carrier to use DC-10s - said it was retiring the aircraft and replacing it with newer planes. Biman Bangladesh Airlines - the last commercial carrier to use DC-10s - said it was retiring the aircraft and replacing it with newer planes.
'Fitting end''Fitting end'
The aircraft stopped to refuel in Kuwait at about 09:45 GMT before embarking on the final leg of its journey to Birmingham. The aircraft - carrying 35 passengers who had bought special tickets for the trip - stopped to refuel in Kuwait at about 09:45 GMT before embarking on the final leg of its journey to Birmingham.
Plane enthusiast Gordon Stretch, who travelled from Solihull to be on the flight, said the first part of the journey had been smooth. Plane enthusiast Gordon Stretch, who travelled from Solihull to be on the flight, said the journey had been "absolutely wonderful".
"Assuming there is no delay with fuelling we are still looking good for an on time-ish arrival into Birmingham," he said. "There was a great atmosphere on board, the crew were fully in the spirit," he said.
"It was a very very long day but great fun."
Biman will run a series of one-hour pleasure flights for enthusiasts from Birmingham airport over the weekend, with the last trip scheduled for 15:00 GMT on Monday.Biman will run a series of one-hour pleasure flights for enthusiasts from Birmingham airport over the weekend, with the last trip scheduled for 15:00 GMT on Monday.
An airline spokesman said: "It's a fitting end for an aircraft that has served Biman loyally and well over many years."An airline spokesman said: "It's a fitting end for an aircraft that has served Biman loyally and well over many years."
DC-10s have been used as passenger planes for over 40 years, and continue to be employed for cargo and military use.DC-10s have been used as passenger planes for over 40 years, and continue to be employed for cargo and military use.
They have been involved in several high-profile air crashes and were temporarily grounded by the US Federal Aviation Authority in 1979.They have been involved in several high-profile air crashes and were temporarily grounded by the US Federal Aviation Authority in 1979.
But enthusiasts - who lovingly describe the DC-10 as a "workhorse" - say it was one of the planes that paved the way for mass long-haul travel.But enthusiasts - who lovingly describe the DC-10 as a "workhorse" - say it was one of the planes that paved the way for mass long-haul travel.