Cotswold Airport put a mysterious post up late on Sunday evening on its Instagram story saying that news was dropping and pictured the British Airways Negus Liveried Boeing 747-400.
Shortly after midnight, they posted another part of the story saying “We have saved her” meaning that G-CIVB was being saved from the scrapyard and would be preserved at Kemble, where she arrived on the 7th October.
The news was confirmed by British Airways this morning when new CEO Sean Doyle said “It was with great sadness that we retired our two final 747s based at Heathrow earlier this month, so we’re glad Cotswold Airport is able to give one of these aircraft a new home and a new lease of life. The 747, and the Negus livery, are iconic in British Airways’ past, and we hope locals and visitors will enjoy seeing this slice of history for years to come.”
The aircraft will be converted into a business, conferencing and private hire venue, as well as a cinema for locals and an educational facility for school trips. With plans to open the aircraft up to the public from Spring 2021.