On the 9th of January 2019, 2 B747-400 ‘s belonging to the Japanses Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) visited Schiphol Airport for the very last time. The B747’s will be replaced by 2 B777’s.

The B747’s have been in service since 1991 and served 14 prime ministers. They often fly as a pair on official duties, with the second aircraft acting as a spare and to carry maintenance and support staff.

The B747’s are based at Chitose airbase and belonging to 701 Hikotai. The JASDF’s 777 is not expected to enter service until the new Japanese fiscal year, which begins on April 1, 2019.