Originally Posted by
BahrainLad
Surely with a steady stream of more fuel efficient aircraft coming into BA's and other fleets, even if these aircraft come back after 18 months (what's the shortest storage period that's economic?) they'll just be more uncompetitive?
The chances of them being used for passenger flights again is very low. They might be sold and then converted to BCF (Boeing converted freighter) or equivalent configuration (this is what is happening to many of Singapore Airlines 747's as they are retired) as they are far more efficient than the Boeing 717-100 and -200 freighters used quite widely, but given the downturn in the freight industry that is a long shot I'd say. Chances are they will be parted-out to keep the rest of the fleet in the air at an economic cost.
I guess this will be a steady stream over the next few years.