A Cold War era jet sitting idle for nearly two decades has 60 days to be saved or faces a dark fate
Published on Mar 07, 2026 at 3:24 AM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Mar 06, 2026 at 3:58 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Nobody wants to see history destroyed, but a Cold War era jet is facing just that if it isn’t moved within 60 days, with its future looking uncertain.
Portuguese airport operator Aeroportos de Portugal has issued an ultimatum to Jean Pierre Bemba to move his Boeing 727-100 parked at Faro airport.
This classic airliner, built during the Cold War, has sat at the airport for nearly two decades, and now it looks like authorities have had enough.
Avgeeks will be hoping that someone steps in, because there is only one outcome if nobody saves the jet.
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Why has this Boeing 727- 100 not moved in two decades?
It might look like a normal Boeing airliner from the 1960s, but this one has had an interesting life.
The aircraft is registered 9Q-CMC and was built in 1965.
It entered service not long after.
The plane was originally owned by Jean-Pierre Bemba, former vice president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Bemba served some time in prison before returning to politics, but the aircraft hasn’t moved since 2007.
The reason for this is that it was impounded at the request of the International Criminal Court.
Having stood for nearly 20 years, the airplane now has around €1 million in outstanding charges.
That roughly converts to $1.1 million.
So it’s probably become the most expensive Boeing 727-100 in the world right now.
The big question is what will happen to it now?
This is what will happen to this Cold War era jet
If fees are not paid or the aircraft is not moved within 60 days, the aircraft will be classed as abandoned.
Given that it’s been nearly 20 years since this jet last moved, we think that it more than qualifies as abandoned.
On top of that, if an airplane isn’t moved from a spot for 90 days, it is classed as ‘improperly parked.’
This is all part of the newly ratified airport regulations in Portugal.
If declared abandoned, the Portuguese state may then take ownership of the Cold War era jet.
Ultimately, that would likely lead to it being offered for disposal and likely scrapped.
As a quite rare Boeing airliner, it would be perfect for a museum in Portugal or across the globe.
But for now, the future of this amazing piece of history is very unclear.
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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
