Ford Motor Company’s aviation department has sold its BBJs and replaced them with two 737-700s to carry employees between company facilities in Warley, UK and Cologne, Germany.

“The BBJs were sold within the last few weeks and the 737-700s have just made their first flight.

“They set off on our normal company schedule, which we operate backwards and forwards to Cologne,” said Ford’s aviation manager Roger Hale.

Hale explained the reasons behind the change: “Ford is always looking at ways to improve its operations.

Our flying is within Europe and the 737-700 is a better fit with our mission requirements than the premium BBJ.”

The replacement airliners are capable of carrying 122 people. “Being a new generation aircraft, the 700s are very similar to the BBJs, which means very little disruption in operating them in an efficient manner,” he said.

“The aircraft are based at London Stansted and provide a cost-effective way to move large numbers of employees between locations compared to commercial carriers.”