Jets from around the world line the taxiways of a rural UK airfield as the coronavirus pandemic continues to take its toll on the travel industry.
Dozens of expensive aircraft, including Boeing 747 jumbo jets from various global carriers, are parked at Cotswold Airport, near Kemble, Gloucestershire.
Photos show the impressive array of planes that have been grounded at the airfield awaiting disassembly or to resume flying, BirminghamLive reports.
With global travel restrictions forcing big airlines to ground their planes, the aircraft are being stored by Air Salvage International and its sister company GCAM, a storage and maintenance company.
Some of the jets, including various 747 models, were in service with British Airways, which recently revealed it was retiring its “entire 747 fleet with immediate effect.”
The Boeing 747 “Queen of the Skies” has a capacity of 345 passengers and a top speed of 614mph, and was used by British Airways on flights to China, the US, Canada, and Africa.
The downturn in travel caused by the Covid-19 global pandemic has put great strain on UK airlines, with British Airways, easyJet, and Virgin Atlantic announcing job cuts and reduced operations.
Cotswold Airport, which began as RAF Kemble, has a 2km runway which means that it is large enough for the 747s to land.
The airport has previously hosted F1 testing, airshows, and even a few episodes of Top Gear. Until 1983, it was also home to the Red Arrows and there are now thousands of aircraft movement each year.
Owing to current travel restrictions, the commercial airport remains closed to visitors, including to its AV8 restaurant, which situated next to the control tower.
