European Air Charter retired its last McDonnell Douglas MD-82 aircraft, marking the end of an era for both the airline and Europe. On October 21, the Bulgarian airline concluded its fleet renewal process by retiring the last «Mad Dog.»
Gradually, the legends of modern commercial aviation are nearing the end of their operational lives, and it is now the turn of a revolutionary aircraft that, during its heyday, dominated a significant portion of the commercial aviation market. The MD-82 is one of the early variants of the historic MD-80.
The MD-80’s History
The McDonnell Douglas MD-80 stands as an iconic aircraft closely linked to the success of its predecessor, the Douglas DC-9. This short to medium-range passenger aircraft, manufactured by the American company McDonnell Douglas, made its maiden flight in 1980 and quickly became a cornerstone of the aviation industry.
The MD-80, an upgraded version of the DC-9, was renowned for its efficiency and capacity. Its aerodynamic design and modern Pratt & Whitney JT8D-200 engines provided exceptional performance. With the ability to carry between 130 and 172 passengers, it became the preferred choice for regional and national flights.
One of the MD-80’s notable features was its state-of-the-art cockpit, offering pilots modern instrumentation that improved safety and efficiency. Additionally, its autopilot system allowed for smooth and precise flights.
The MD-80 earned the trust of renowned airlines worldwide, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Alitalia, all of which operated large fleets of these aircraft. Its versatility and cost-effectiveness made it an attractive choice for operators seeking profitability.
Throughout its operational life, the MD-80 underwent several enhancements, including the MD-90 series, which featured more efficient engines and a modernized cockpit. However, with the evolution of the aviation industry, particularly in terms of efficiency and emissions reduction, the MD-80 gradually lost its place in commercial aviation.
Custom Variants for Airlines
MD-81: The original version, with a capacity of approximately 130 passengers and JT8D-209 engines. It took its first flight in 1980.
MD-82: An improved version with extended range and capacity. Equipped with JT8D-217 engines, it could carry around 172 passengers.
MD-83: With a capacity similar to the MD-82, this variant was known for efficiency and performance improvements. It also used JT8D-219 engines.
MD-87: A shorter and lighter version of the MD-80, designed for shorter-range flights. It had a capacity for around 130 passengers and could be equipped with JT8D-217 or JT8D-219 engines.
MD-88: Similar to the MD-82, the MD-88 featured various enhancements and updates, including a more modern cockpit and increased fuel efficiency.
MD-90: The final variant in the MD-80 family, the MD-90 incorporated V2500 engines to enhance efficiency and performance. It could carry approximately 150 to 172 passengers.
Photo: Aero Icarus – Wikimedia Commons
The Last One in Europe
The «Mad Dog» with registration LZ-LDP marks the end of the MD-80 era in Europe. With a 33-year history, the aircraft was built in the McDonnell Douglas facilities in Long Beach, California.
The plane was delivered on September 27, 1990, to ATI (Aero Transporti Italiani), and later came under the ownership of Alitalia, where it served from 1994 until 2002 when it was eventually acquired by European Air Charter.
European Air Charter became the last operator of the MD-80 in Europe. However, another MD-82 of this family remains active, though not in operation, in Ukraine. It is part of Bravo Airlines‘ fleet but is stored at the Borýspil International Airport in Kiev.
This last MD-82 was grounded due to the armed conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
How Many MD-80s Are Still in Operation Worldwide?
The global MD-80 fleet consists of just over 100 aircraft. The two largest operators of this model in the world are the United States and Iran. The remaining aircraft are distributed among countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
In the United States, the aircraft still in operation have been converted for cargo transport. The main operators of MD-80s on U.S. soil are USA Jet and Everts Air Cargo.
Another application for the MD-80 is in fighting forest fires. In the United States, the company Erickson Aero Tanker operates a total of seven aircraft specifically configured for this mission.
In Iran, numerous passenger airlines continue to operate the MD-80, including Zagros Air, Taban Airlines, ATA Airlines, Caspian Airlines, and others.
In Latin America, the MD-80 still flies in countries like Mexico, operated by Aeronaves TSM. In the Caribbean, we find Red Air in the Dominican Republic, operating two MD-82s. Finally, in South America, Venezuela has the presence of the MADDOG in four airlines: Aeropostal, Laser, Rutaca, and Venezolana.
