FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Delta MD-88/90 Retirement Tracking Thread

Jul 11, 2019, 6:38 pm

#220

tnair1974

Join Date: Jan 2019

Posts: 55

Quote:

Originally Posted by qukslvr619

Had not seen a formal retirement date previously, but it looks like DL is planning on retiring the MD90 by the end of 2022.
https://news.delta.com/delta-air-lin...er-2019-profit

As recently as the beginning of this year, Delta was stating in internal memos/conferences that at least some stored MD-90s could return to service starting in early 2020. Up to now anyway, withdrawn MD-90s were generally being stored in flying condition. This said, I understand at least some of the Chinese built birds have entered the scrapping process.

My non-professional guess is that if any grounded MD-90s do fly with Delta again (a big if in light of recent news), it would be those that could undergo a relatively quick C check and have overhauled engines.

The stored planes that need a D check, along with the Chinese built planes, may likely never fly again.

Of course, updates from those that are much better in the know would be most welcomed

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