HYDERABAD: The retired Boeing 737 finally reached its ultimate destination at the Civil Aviation Training Institute (CATI) at noon here on Friday through Karachi-Hyder­abad Motorway (M9) after 35-hour journey started from Karachi.

Another plane — said to be bigger than this one — is to be transported to the CATI.

Commuters and residents of various areas looked at the plane with a pleasant surprise and took photos and selfies. The plane passed through various pre-designated routes of the city before reaching the institute at the Hyderabad airport where it would be used for imparting training to students.

Officials accompanying the plane said that its parts were dismantled before bringing it to Hyderabad via the defined route and after measuring different roads, roundabouts and turning points. The plane’s main body was kept on a huge trailer while its parts, including wings and wheels, were shifted through separate trailers. The plane is 110ft long and 145ft wide.

According to Mr Humayun, a representative of the company which shifted the plane to the CATI, an even bigger one would be brought from Karachi to Hyderabad soon for training purposes.

Humayun said it was a difficult task, but safely handled and the plane reached its ultimate destination.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2024