Earlier in September we made a video about
how Boeing had purchased 17 Airbus A340-300s
from Singapore Airlines as part of a deal
to sell the carrier at least 34 Boeing 777s.
In June 1999, on the last day of the Paris
Air Show, the deal, which had been kept a
secret for about four years, was finally unveiled.
The sale went through, much to Airbus’ disapproval.
But what happened to these jets in the end?
Let’s find out.
The most logical conclusion is that these
aircraft would go on to other operators. It
would be a funny thought to imagine that Boeing
would operate the aircraft itself or just
scrap the jets. However, the deal had to be
profitable, and it was always Boeing’s intention
to find an operator.
Very much similar to what you would do when
trading in your used car to get a discount
on a brand-new, factory-fresh model, Singapore
Airlines’ A340s went to Boeing as part of
a deal to acquire brand new 777-200s.
According to data available on Airfleets.net,
it appears that the first step was for the
aircraft to be transferred to BAHC – otherwise
known as Boeing Aircraft Holding Company.
This corporate entity is a wholly-owned subsidiary
of Boeing which manages Boeing-owned, used
aircraft, including planes acquired due to
a trade-in or a lease return.
While we won’t go in-depth with the specific
history of each of the 17 Airbus A340-300
aircraft, we can note some of the more significant
operators.
Several of these jets went to Gulf Air for
a while. From there, some were passed on to
Spanish carrier Plus Lineas Aereas while one
went over to Mahan Air of Iran.
Another jet was leased out by Boeing to Taiwanese
carrier China Airlines. That jet is now A7-AAH
and belongs to the government of Qatar, otherwise
known as the Qatar Amiri Flight. According
to our count, about four planes went to Dubai-based
Emirates.
As far as we know, this is where the jets
spent their final years.
Three jets went directly to Cathay Pacific
and spent about eight years with the Hong
Kong carrier before being stored in 2009.
In 2011, however, these three jets all headed
south, across the Pacific Ocean to Argentina.
There, they flew with Aerolineas Argentina
until about 2017.
A fair number of these jets ended up with
wet lease operator Hi Fly, where they either
still exist or have been scrapped. Hi Fly
was able to lease some of the quad jets out
to carriers like Estelar Latinoamerica, Azores
Airlines, XL Airways France, Air Algerie.
Even the Royal Australian Air Force leased
some of these Hi Fly A340s! The Royal Australian
Air Force used these as troop transports.
One now exists as VP-BMS with Las Vegas Sands,
while another (T7-SAU) is listed as private.
While the VP prefix of an aircraft registration
code indicates registration in a British Overseas
Territory, Las Vegas Sands is a casino and
resort company. The presumption is that the
jet is used to fly ‘high-rollers’ and
VIPs to ‘live the high life.’
It’s important to note however that some
of these jets have since been scrapped.
It’s actually quite incredible to examine
all the airlines and operators this batch
of A340-300s went on to fly with after being
bought up by Boeing from Singapore Airlines.
Were you at all surprised by some of these
operators? Let us know your thoughts in the
comments.
