Yesterday April 5th, 2024, marks a sad day for old jet and aviation lovers as Michigan based Kalitta Charters II has retired its final Boeing 727 freighter. N729CK sn 22982 was a Boeing 727-264 built in May 1982. The almost 42 year old aircraft was the last operating 727 in Kalitta’s fleet. The aircraft was ferried from the companys headquarters at Willow Run, KYIP to its maintenance and storage facility in Oscoda, KOSC. The short 39 minute flight operated as KII729 or dragster 729. Prior to its retirement today, the airline was able to squeeze in one last revenue haul with the aircraft when it flew Willow run to Laredo, Texas and then back to YIP. Over the last few years, Kalitta has slowly replaced its 727 fleet with the newer Boeing 737, largely in part to the cost of maintaining the older airframes. But, the final nail in the 727’s coffin would come as the cost for the required upgrades to the aircraft due to 5G.
Through out its history, Kalitta has operated...