After more than 27 years of service, the oldest member of the Swiss fleet, the Airbus A321 with the registration HB-IOC, has started its last journey. In the Swissair era, the medium-haul jet wore the Olympic rings and was also marketed as the official aircraft of the IOC – hence the conspicuous aviation license plate. 

After the bankruptcy of Swissair, which was considered Switzerland's national pride, today's Swiss International Air Lines was built on the basis of the former subsidiary Crossair. Here the HB-IOC continued to serve for a few more years. This Airbus A321 is currently being scrapped in Castellón, Spain. 

Said aircraft was last used by Swiss under the baptismal name “St. Moritz” in the air. After the last trip, this Airbus A321 is to be dismantled into its individual parts in Spain. If possible, these should be recycled. Manufacturers of aviation goodies have also secured certain parts. Aviation and design fans can look forward to very special memorabilia. 

In the 27 years of active scheduled service - first with Swissair and then with Swiss - the HB-IOC carried over seven million passengers. 47.000 take-offs and landings and has been in use for over 73.000 hours. A few months ago, the icon was transferred to Castellón in Spain, where it was disassembled into its individual parts. 

The carrier itself continues to use some components of the HB-IOC. For example, parts of the cabin have been removed and are now being used as crew trainers within the Lufthansa Group. What else is still usable is used as spare parts for other aircraft of this type.   

The aircraft, built in 1995 and originally christened “Neuchâtel” and later “Lausanne”, was affectionately known to many employees as the “Old Lady”. Due to its HB-IOC matriculation, the Airbus was also referred to as the "Olympic aviator" in accordance with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and even wore a special Olympic livery for a few years.