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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 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 on Thursday, landed at Birmingham Airport at 17:55 GMT. | |
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 - 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 journey had been "absolutely wonderful". | |
"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. |
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