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  DATE: 26/04/06
SOURCE: Flight International
Final BA ethnic tail leaves Heathrow service as BMed Airbus A320 returned to lessor
The final British Airways ethnic design tailfin left the London Heathrow airport fleet on Monday, with the retirement of a 12-year old Airbus A320-200 operated by BA franchise partner BMed (formerly British Mediterranean). The aircraft (G-MEDA, or “Delta Alpha”), which was delivered in October 1994, was painted in 1997 with Whale Rider tail art as part of BA's ill-fated strategy of non-flag related livery, when BMed signed its franchise agreement with the UK carrier. Whale Rider was one of 30 designs in the Utopia of World Art series representing art from BA destinations.
Delta Alpha was returned to ORIX Aviation Systems on Monday, with Capt Wilbur Wilson piloting (pictured below). Wilson also piloted its first flight, to Beirut in October 1994. The aircraft has clocked up 37,000h flying time and completed 11,000 cycles in its life with BMed. Its destination airline is unknown. |
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