Summary
- Iraqi Airways is auctioning two derelict Boeing 747 airframes, previously flown by the airline and the Iraqi government.
- The aircraft cannot be used for any political purposes or to glorify personalities, likely referring to Saddam Hussein, who flew on one of the 747s during his time in power.
- Iraqi Airways' remaining 747 fleet has entered storage and is unlikely to return to service, with one previously parked in Baghdad being damaged after the airport was captured by US forces in 2003.
Have you ever wanted to buy your own Boeing 747? Iraqi Airways is selling off two of its old 747s, with initial bids starting at around half a million US dollars. While they are not airworthy, there are still plenty of unique things to do with one (or a pair) of 747 frames.
Iraqi Airways auctions two 747s
As reported by ch-aviation, Iraqi Airways is auctioning off two derelict Boeing 747 airframes that have been parked at Tozeur-Nefta International Airport in Tunisia for over three decades. The two jets - a Boeing 747-200C (YI-AGP) and a Boeing 747SP-70 (YI-ALM) - previously flew under the Iraqi carrier and Iraqi government, respectively, but have not flown since the Gulf War broke out in 1990.
In the lead-up to the war, both jets were flown to Tunisia to avoid possible damage - however, due to UN sanctions, Iraqi Airways ceased almost all operations in the 1990s and early 2000s and was not able to recover the 747s, which have remained in Tunisia ever since.
Given the planes are in no condition to fly and have been left abandoned for decades, why would anyone want to spend upwards of $500,000 on them? The most likely answer is for their scrap metal value, but they also have interesting potential for the right buyer, such as a restaurant, hotel, or simply as memorabilia. If you are interested, you'll need to put down a 20% deposit ($98,800) to be considered a serious buyer.
One 747 used to fly Saddam Hussein
Interestingly, Iraqi Airways has specifically stated that any buyer cannot use the aircraft "for any political purpose, reproduction or glorification of any personality in any way." This is clearly in reference to Saddam Hussein - the cult personality leader of Iraq from 1979 to 2003 - who personally flew on YI-ALM during his earlier days in power.
After losing access to his 747 for almost a decade, Saddam would eventually get his hands on another Boeing 747, this time gifted by a member of the Qatari royal family in 1999. Given the ongoing sanctions against Iraq, the gift was considered illegal and provoked outrage from the United States - according to a News24 report, the 747 saw some action on domestic routes with Iraqi Airways.
In 2001, Saddam was gifted yet another Boeing 747, this time from a consortium of unnamed Middle Eastern businessmen.
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What happened to Iraqi Airways' 747 fleet?
Iraqi Airways operated the Boeing 747 as recently as last year, but both of its remaining 747s have since entered storage and look unlikely to return.
Take a closer look at the Iraqi Airways fleet today.
Another of its 747s parked in Baghdad was damaged after the airport was captured by US forces in 2003. While its final fate is unclear, it never flew again after this and was likely scrapped or remains in a state of disrepair in storage.
What would you do with one of these Boeing 747s if you won it at the auction? Let us know your ideas in the comments.
Source: ch-aviation, News24