Lost and Found: Abandoned Boeing 727 Sells for $10K at El Paso Airport Auction!

Boeing 727 Sells for $10K at El Paso Airport Auction: An abandoned Boeing 727 has been sold by auction from its desert home outside El Paso International Airport, where it has sat for almost 20 years. A 1966 model, it was once the backbone of short and mid-range travel around the world; it had also gradually deteriorated. Although the plane ran in quite a bad state, it still drew immense interest; it was sold for $10,000. In this article, we trace the journey of this airplane, its history, and what may lie ahead for the buyer.

The Boeing 727 Heading to the Auction Site

This mid-size, three-engine jet Boeing 727 had been at El Paso International Airport since the early 2000s. Having been an eyesore at this airport for years, with extremely bad weather conditions consisting of scorching sun, heavy rains, high winds, and even snow, this aircraft has an interesting history which makes it unique.

The Details of the Auction

The airplane was listed on govdeals.com, a government surplus auction site, in “derelict condition.” The city of El Paso described it as needing repairs that would exceed its value, making it an ideal candidate for someone looking for a project or potential reuse.

The auction ended with 56 bids, and the Boeing 727 fetched approximately $10,000, including taxes and auction charges. The buyer, who won the auction with a bid that was just $20 above the second-highest bid, has until January 27 to either take the plane out of the airport or work out a deal with the management of the airport.

What Happens Next?

El Paso International Airport Director Tony Nevarez said he’s excited to see what the future of the plane may be. “I’m kind of excited to see what the new owner does with it,” he said. There are a number of directions the plane could go in: some former aircrafts have been transformed into homes, bars, or even public facilities. Nevarez said he hopes this Boeing 727 will serve a creative and productive function within the local community.

History of the Boeing 727

Before being abandoned, the Boeing 727 had an interesting history. It once belonged to a private charter flight firm. The owner of the firm died in an airplane crash, and the firm folded operations. Consequently, the plane became abandoned, and in 2021, the city of El Paso took legal action to repossess it for unpaid parking fees.

The Boeing 727 had been on loan to the U.S. Marshals Service from the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System—better known as “Con Air,” which is used to transport prisoners and detainees.

Boeing 727 Characteristics

Constructed from 1963 until 1984, Boeing 727 is widely used either as a passenger or cargo plane. Because of that, it was popular to fly in minor airports where the length of the runways was small. One unique thing about this jet, the Boeing 727, is that the back stairway was able to lower so passengers could exit the plane directly from the aircraft. It was, therefore, well-suited for the minor regional airports which did not have jet bridges.

What Will Be the Fate of the Money Received from the Sale?

The sale of the Boeing 727 stands to benefit the El Paso International Airport for $10,000. That revenue will revert to the Airport due to city surplus property policy. According to City Comptroller Margarita Marin, this kind of sale accounts for tons of cash into the city surplus account annually on average. She mentioned the average over the past couple of years was $318,000 reaped annually from surplus sales.

Other Surplus Items Sold at Auction

The Boeing 727 is the strangest thing sold by the city, but it’s not the only piece of surplus property on the auction block. Other items that have gone to the highest bidder include everything from the mundane—pieces of furniture and office supplies—to heavy machinery, including fueling stations and landfill machinery. The auctions are held on the government’s online platform, govdeals.com, and are open to the public—excluding city employees.

The Fate of Other Abandoned Aircraft

This Boeing 727 is not the first abandoned aircraft at El Paso International Airport. According to the airport’s director, Tony Nevarez, over the years, the city had to auction off other abandoned planes. These include smaller cargo planes and twin-engine aircraft. In most cases, the planes were abandoned by their owners after the owners passed away or could not maintain the planes. Nevarez reinforces that it is important the airport remains clean and efficient for better serving the public.

Table: Boeing 727 Key Features

FeatureDetails
ModelBoeing 727
Year of Manufacture1966
EnginesThree (jet engines)
UseCommercial, cargo, military, and government
Notable FeatureRear stairway for direct disembarkation
Previous OwnerBlue Falcon Corp.
Sale Price$10,000 (including fees)

AUCTION’S

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