Forgotten Boeing 737-200: Air India Sells Derelict Jet It Didn't Realize It Owned

In a remote corner of Kolkata airport, a Boeing 737 belonging to Air India sat decaying. The Star Alliance carrier, which was privatized three years ago with a sale to Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, recently took steps to sell this airplane, which has been grounded for over a decade. According to multiple media outlets, the Boeing 737-200 cargo-configured aircraft was essentially forgotten about. Decommissioned back in 2012, the jet had previously been flying mail and freight under Air India for the India Post. The aircraft was eventually retired from these services and was stored in a remote parking bay at Kolkata airport. The aircraft's presence was only recently flagged. It was a surprise to the airline, which led to it tracing its ownership. As reported by The Telegraph, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson noted in a communication to his employees that, while the disposal of an aircraft is normal, the discovery of one they didn't even realize they owned was something rather new. Though disposal of an old aircraft is not unusual, this one is, for it's an aircraft that we didn't even know we owned until recently. According to data from CH Aviation, the Boeing 737-200, serial number 22863, took its first test flight back on August 30th, 1981. It was subsequently delivered to Indian Airlines on September 8th, 1982, where it was registered under Victor Tango Echo Hotel Hotel. The aircraft flew for the state-owned carrier Indian Airlines, which was eventually merged into Air India. The aircraft was then shifted under Alliance Air, formerly Air India Regional, where it provided regional flights from February 2nd, 1998 through to July 4th, 2007. The aircraft was converted into a freighter to fly service for India Post. However, records show the aircraft was stored in August 2007. The airframe, according to Air Fleet, also took on an alter ego with records showing that it was, quote, preserved since 07-2019 as a restaurant. Clearly, ownership of the jet was not included in the asset records that were transferred to Tata when they took over the Indian flag carrier. One really has to wonder how a whole Boeing 737-200 can be essentially lost and disappear from the records of an airline. We have to wonder if many Air India employees have seen this aircraft parked on the ground whilst they go about their daily duties to and from Kolkata's airport. If so, it's interesting that no one over the years has wondered about the status or ownership of the jet. But at the same time, aircraft have been known to change ownership whilst retaining their old livery, even after the transfer. What do you think of this bizarre incident? Let us know by leaving a comment.