PH-BFW of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines after arrival at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is bringing forward the retirement of its last few Boeing 747 passenger aircraft amid the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.

Last week, the Dutch flag-carrier published a general overview on how it will handle the current crisis. Along with network cuts, this includes retiring the last remaining Boeing 747-400 in April this year, instead of Summer 2021 as previously planned.

Only six remaining 747 planes are currently part of KLM’s fleet, most of which are more than 20 years old. They include two variants, the regular 747-400 for passengers, as well as a few 747-400M, a passenger/freight combi version of the aircraft type. KLM was the launch customer of the -400M variant in 1989.

Both will be retired by April, with some media reports saying it would be done even earlier than that: in late-March. Three cargo-only Boeing 747-400F, which are operated by KLM subsidiary Martinair Holland, will remain in operation.

The reason behind this short-notice decision for an early retirement is the Coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis and resulting travel restrictions around the world.