Freighters Will Likely Slowly Return To Service. Passenger Planes, Not So Much

A report by 7Seas Aviation, a Los Angeles-based aviation consultant, says as many as 10 percent of the world's fleet of 747-400's are in storage, due to the impact of the recession on both the passenger and cargo markets.  That accounts for about 63 airplanes as of November 1st, according to the latest data available from the company.

File Photo

7Seas says on it's blog that the cargo market is seeing a modest recovery, and those aircraft are expected to "trickle back" into service. but the passenger planes that are currently grounded are likely to stay on the ground for the foreseeable future, or be converted to freighters. 7Seas says that a slow economic recovery in the passenger market, along with competition from twin-engine wide-body aircraft will impede the return of the 747-400's to passenger service.

The storage rate is up over 7% from the beginning of the year, according to the firm. Only one aircraft has been officially retired, a plane belonging to Air New Zealand. But that number is likely to increase over time, the company says.

FMI: http://7seasaviation.blogspot.com/