Narita International Airport in Japan experienced its second runway closure in as many days, this time due to an emergency landing by an Atlas Air Boeing 747. The cargo plane, en route to Los Angeles, was forced to turn back to Narita due to a hydraulic system failure, resulting in damaged tires and wheels upon landing. While the incident caused a seven-hour closure of Runway A, airport officials reported minimal disruption to other flights.
Sierra Nevada Corporation, an American firm, has acquired five Boeing 747 jets previously operated by Korean Air for specialized military use. This procurement aligns with SNC’s recent $13 billion contract to develop a next-generation replacement for the E-4B Nightwatch, the U.S. Air Force’s current airborne military command center. The E-4B Nightwatch, also known as the ‘Doomsday Jet,’ is renowned for its ability to withstand nuclear warfare and serve as an emergency communications hub. SNC expects to receive the acquired aircraft by the third quarter of 2025.
Air India’s iconic Boeing 747, once used to transport VVIPs, has made its final flight from Mumbai to the US. The plane is scheduled to be dismantled and stripped for parts. The retirement of the Boeing 747s marks the end of an era for Air India, which had taken delivery of its first 747 in 1971.
