Kemble’s Cotswold Airport achieved two records when the largest aircraft to arrive there touched down last week.
In addition to setting a size record, the aircraft was the first Boeing 747-400 series in the world to be retired from service.
It will be recycled by airport-based Air Salvage International.
An airport spokesman said: “Whenever a 747 flies in, it always generates interest, as it’s not every day that you see one in the skies above the Cotswolds.
“But this latest arrival had dual significance and it was strange to think that they no longer make this type of aircraft anymore.”
Two more 747-400s are due to arrive at Cotswold Airport during the next month.
The 400 series, which first flew in 1989 and has a wingspan of just over 211ft, is to be superseded by the Boeing 747-8.
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