JEDDAH: Stunning images of three retired airplanes mounted atop trailer trucks being transported from Jeddah to Riyadh has created a buzz on social media.
From a man enjoying gahwa on a traditional carpet on the side of the road to a group of young children giving the aircraft a salute on its final journey, the images are capturing a new turn in the life of the aircraft.
People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)
The airplanes, which were retired from Saudia Airlines between 2016 and 2017, were transported under tight security, covering a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.
Large crowds of locals gathered to witness the unusual sight. During their former service with Saudia, the Boeing 777-200ER models carried 341 passengers in three-class cabins.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Saudi General Entertainment Authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, ‘Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,’ to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.
• They covered a distance of more than 850 km from Jeddah to Madinah, then to Qassim, and ultimately to Riyadh.
According to the General Entertainment Authority, five retired aircraft in total will be converted into shops and restaurants and used for staging interactive experiences for adults and children as part of the Boulevard Runway project, which is being carried out in collaboration with Saudia Airlines.
The authority’s chairman, Turki Alalshik, launched a campaign, “Where Are They? ... Please Let Me Know,” to document and follow the planes on the way to Riyadh.
People have captured some memorable moments on camera as they observed the unusual motorcade while ferrying the aircraft. (Supplied)
The campaign encourages locals to share images of the aircraft throughout the road trip.
Alalshik also launched a competition, with a luxury car as the prize, for the best photograph of the planes.
Many people who learned about the final voyage gathered on the side of the highway to Riyadh.
“We have seen large airplanes transporting trucks and vehicles from one place to another, but here we have videos and photos where a truck is actually carrying airplanes. It is not something that we normally see on our roads,” said Ahmed Al-Shalaan from Riyadh on X.
The ferrying of the aircraft has led to some memorable moments caught on camera as people documented their encounters with the unusual motorcade. It also created traffic jams as motorists driving down the highways were awestruck at the sight of the planes.
Many slowed down and some stopped to take photographs and selfies with the aircraft in the background.
“This is quite a unique experience, which we rarely see in our lifetime. I think that is why people are crowding to see it,” said Abdulsalam Al-Ahmad from Madinah on X.
On Thursday, residents in Umm Aldome in Taif were treated to an unusual sight as the aircraft arrived in their small town and a special breakfast was organized for the drivers in celebration of their arrival.
Abdullah Al-Omair, a local, said on X: “It is a historical day here in Umm Aldome and we are so happy to see the giant aircraft passing by our town.”
Hajjaj Al-Zahrani, head of the transporting team, spoke to media in the town and said: “This journey has been amazing and what we have witnessed on the road was incredibly amazing.
“Residents of all cities we have been through have been very generous with us and they did everything to make the journey easy for us.”
