A Boeing 767-300 - which had been delivered originally to Britannia Airways and last served with TUI - recently flew transpacific to Singapore/Changi. But why? Find out about the fate of this specific 23-year-old 767...
On May 3, Icelandair Cargo revealed the identity of a Boeing 767-300 which is due to undergo passenger-to-freighter conversion shortly.
The airframe in question is G-OBYH (c/n 28883), which may be very familiar with several British-based readers having initially been handed over factory fresh to Britannia Airways (pictured) back in February 1999, before later flying over the years under the Thomsonfly, Thomson Airways and finally TUI Airways (pictured) banners.
Flickr Commons/John Taggart
In a Tweet published by Icelandair Cargo on May 3, G-OBYH was shown to still sport its previous, striking TUI livery following the jet’s recent arrival into Singapore/Changi for conversion in the summer – it’s confirmed to eventually become TF-ISH later this year.
It’s understood this General Electric CF6-equipped 767 had recently been stored at Phoenix Goodyear Airport in Arizona, USA before making the giant transpacific hop to Singapore via Honolulu, Hawaii recently towards the end of April.
According to Icelandair Cargo, this airframe, once the conversion process is completed, is scheduled to join them this autumn – a move the Icelandair Group noted in its recently released Q1 2022 financial results that’d allow for “increased” cargo capacity from Q4.
Flickr Commons/G B_NZ
A further 767 example, current identity unknown at the time of writing, is poised to complement G-OBYH/TF-ISH as stated also in its Q1 2022 results.
Back in March 2021, the Iceland-based firm had initially revealed plans to field a pair of 767-300Fs from 2022. Speaking at the time, Bogi Nils Bogason, CEO of Icelandair Group, said: "We see great opportunities in freight transport in our major markets by adding these powerful freighters to our fleet. These are two Boeing 767 [widebodies] that each carry over 50% more cargo than our current aircraft and are a great fit into the company's network…”
