Phuket 747 departs LGW

[TheOddOne]

The Phuket 747 HS-VAN that has graced our Apron for a while departed this evening, airborne @ 2145. No drama, 4 engines turning, rotated at the midpoint, nice clean climbout, flight 12 hrs direct BKK.

TOO

[Dash-7 lover]

Well there's a first for everything - still gotta get land yet!

[SpiritofAus]

What was the problem with the aircraft for it to be at LGW for so long.

I also heard Air Phuket has been black listed by certain European Countries.

[apaddyinuk]

Basically Spirit, it has been impounded at LGW since the safety scares last year!!!

[spanishflea]

What was the problem with the aircraft for it to be at LGW for so long.
I also heard Air Phuket has been black listed by certain European Countries.

They have, and supposedly no longer exist as such so I assume it was returned to BKK for preparation for another operator, or for slightly more economical storage.

[Tolsti]

Found this on a Thai website....
''Phuket Air 747 is used to charter Japan self defence personnel stationned in Irak. It flies charter runs between Kumamoto (Island of Kyushu South Japan) and Kuwait via Bangkok.
The flights are contracted through Orient Thai which sub-contract to Phuket Air as they only have old Tristar and not enough capacity for this job''
I feel pity for the poor Jap servicemen!!
http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=59892&pid=640952&st=0&#entry640952

[Engineeraaron]

My Mates dad was onr of the boroscope engineers who looked at the engines and they wernt in too good of a condition so it was grounded but P&R came out and said its ok for it fo fly, it was something about the 3rd cycle

[tso310]

Thai Sky is actually operating this aircraft. They also have obtained another ex-Phuket B747 . Thai Sky also have a long term agreement to run cargo flights to Iraq from Sharjah. They use their L1011 cargo conversion for this.