The owners of the BOAC liveried British Airways Boeing 747 have confirmed that they are in the process of dismantling the iconic jet.

The news follows images circulating on social media yesterday which appeared to show the retrojet in a state of disassembly despite it being earmarked for preservation when it was retired from the flag carrier’s fleet in December 2020.

The 1999 vintage 747-400, G-BYGC (c/n 25823) was the last-ever BA jumbo to fly and is being stored at St Athan.

In a statement to Key.Aero, its new owners eCube said: “Aircraft MSN 25823 was delivered to our St Athan facility at a time when the aviation industry was under great stress because of the pandemic. As part of a larger programme that saw eighteen 747-400 aircraft arrive across our UK and EU sites, MSN 25823 was originally evaluated as an aircraft that could be maintained and made accessible for the public.

“Following a full evaluation, including the aircraft’s various stake holders, the limitations of moving the aircraft to a safe, non-airside location have made this ambition unattainable. Therefore, the decision has been made to give enthusiasts around the world the opportunity to keep a piece of aviation history in their home or on their person as part of our Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle programme. Ultimately this will ensure the memory of aircraft MSN 25823 lives on in a positive and sustainable way through disassembly and upcycling.”