CF-TIS - Douglas DC-8-63/73 - Still Active at age 55

CF-TIS - Douglas DC-8-63/73 - Still Active at age 55

After viewing our 'Featured Video' from NetLetter #1555, Ken Pickford did some internet research looking for still active DC-8s, not more than four of which are still flying in the world. To our surprise he came up with one that has an Air Canada connection.

Ken's comments:

"Former CF-TIS/C-FTIS, AC's 5th last DC-8, delivered as a -63 on February 27, 1970. Fin #875, the 515th of total 556 DC-8s built. It's still flying at age 55 for a Peruvian cargo operator called Sky Bus Jet Cargo, registered OB-2231P.

At AC, it was converted to a -63F freighter in April 1982, then re-engined with CFM56 engines in June 1984, becoming a -73F."

It was acquired by DHL Airways in October 1993 and given US registration N805DH. Operated by ASTAR Air Cargo until June 2012 when it was withdrawn from service and stored at Kingman Airport in Arizona. During its time in storage, it was acquired by Skybus Jet Cargo of Peru.

Re-registered as N805SJ in September 2018 and current registration OB-2231P in September 2022, it has been used on several short term charter leases over the past decade. Returned to service in February 2025 and has most recently made at least 4 round trips in late March between Miami and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP).

Full lifecycle: www.planespotters.net

Editors' Note: Our friend, David Varnes, has written an excellent (and more detailed) article on the same aircraft in the most recent issue of 'The Snag Sheet', the monthly newsletter for Canadian Airways Lodge 764 in Richmond, British Columbia. Click the icon to view.