Austrian Airlines has bid farewell to another of its Boeing 767 aircraft. Following the retirement of OE-LAT earlier this year, OE-LAX became the latest aircraft to fly the Austrian nest earlier today. It is the second of three 767 aircraft destined to leave the fleet.
The global fleet has taken a massive hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the Lufthansa Group has disposed of many of its oldest and least efficient aircraft, with even more being sent to long-term storage. Sadly, three Austrian Airlines’ Boeing 767 aircraft are among the most aging aircraft in the entire Lufthansa Group fleet, meaning they were bound to feel the impact of cuts.
Farewell LAX
Earlier today, OE-LAX became the second Boeing 767 to depart the airline’s Vienna hub for the last time. The aircraft left Vienna at 07:05 this morning as OS1411. With the aircraft’s ultimate destination is Oscoda–Wurtsmith Airport in Michigan, this isn’t where it flew.
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Instead, having crossed the Atlantic, the aircraft landed at Bangor Airport in Maine. Here it will undergo customs clearance to enter the United States of America. Following its stopover, the aircraft will continue to its final destination in Michigan. The leg to Michigan will depart to its final destination with flight number OS1413.
About the aircraft
According to Austrian, OE-LAX was delivered by Boeing in December 1992. However, Austrian Airlines wasn’t its first operator. Instead, the aircraft belonged to Lauda Air. It flew with Lauda Air until 2004, when the airline was taken over by Austrian Airlines. This saw the aircraft merge into the Lufthansa Group airline’s fleet.
Since joining the Lauda fleet almost 30 years ago, OE-LAX has clocked up quite the service record. According to Austrian Airlines, the aircraft has completed 19,600 landings. This equates to over 133,600 flight hours. In other words, if the aircraft had flown 133,600 non-stop since being delivered, it would’ve flown for over 15 years.
One more to leave the fleet
Of the six Austrian Airlines Boeing 767s, three will leave the airline’s fleet. OE-LAT was the first aircraft to leave the fleet back at the start of March. Following OE-LAX’s departure today, the airline is left with four aircraft.
OE-LAW is the oldest of these at 28.7 years of age. It is due to depart from the fleet later this year, although an exact date is yet to be revealed by Austrian Airlines. The three Boeing 767s have been purchased by MonoCoque Diversified.
Once OE-LAW departs, Austrian will be left with three Boeing 767’s with an average age of 21.6 years. These will be OE-LAE (20.5 years), OE-LAY (22.4 years), and OE-LAZ (21.8 years).
What do you make of the latest Boeing 767 departure? Will you miss OE-LAX? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!