Classic Corner

Boeing 757-204 MSN 26962 L/N 440 F/F March 20th 1992

Britannia Airways G-BYAC

Britannia (UK), like many British charter airlines, adopted the 757 as the ideal aircraft for short and medium range flights to Mediterranean sunspots, the Canary Islands, Africa and Egypt. In Britannia's case, they acquired 757s to entirely replace their 737-200 fleet, as well a handful of -300s acquired through their January 1989 take over of Orion Airways.

G-BYAC was Britannia's first ordered and newly delivered 757 on April 10th 1992 (although four aircraft were leased between 1990 and 1991). Britannia was one of Britain's oldest charter airlines retaining the same name between it's August 1964 creation (was named Euravia prior to then) and November 2005, when the company merged with and took the name of it's subsidiary Thomsonfly. G-BYAC did not remain in the fleet to see service with Thomsonfly, being returned to lessor Boullioun Aviation Services in March 1997.

Istanbul Airlines TC-ARA

The aircraft's next operator was Istanbul Airlines (Turkey), who leased the aircraft between April 1997 and March 1999. The charter airline mainly operated 737s, with just three 757s between 1995 and 1999. The airline ceased operations in August 2000.

National Airlines N512NA

Following European operations, the aircraft migrated to the United States to operate with Las Vegas, NV based National Airlines, who flew scheduled service with 757s exclusively. 19 in total were operated between 1999 and 2002, until the airline ceased operations on November 6th.

Icelandair Cargo TF-CIB

It would be a few years before the aircraft saw service again, being stored between 2002 and 2006. During that time it was converted to a freighter in November 2004, and then leased to Icelandair in March 2006 for four years.

Blue Dart Aviation VT-BDO

The aircraft's current operator is Blue Dart (India) who leased the aircraft in July 2012, one of six 757 freighters the airline operates from it's Chennai base. The airline is a wholly owned subsidiary of DHL, but operates under it's own colors and name.

This hardy Boeing is now over 25 years old...and still going strong! JetTrak will add future updates to this aircraft's history.