This airline just bought two Boeing 747 jumbo jets online

Ah, the internet.
By Yvette Tan  on 
This airline just bought two Boeing 747 jumbo jets online
The Boeing 747s (not pictured) were bought online Credit: Getty Images

Turns out, you really can buy anything online.

Two Boeing 747 planes have been sold on Chinese online shopping platform Taobao for the price of $48 million (322 million yuan).

The planes were previously owned by cargo company Jade Cargo International, but were seized by a court in the Chinese city of Shenzhen after they filed for bankruptcy in 2013.

They will now be owned by Chinese cargo airline company SF Airlines, who outbid 25 other buyers. According to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua, the auction gathered over 800,000 viewers.

The planes have been put up for auction (offline) six times since October 2015, but failed to find buyers until now. Left with no choice, the courts decided to put them up for sale online in September.

Mashable Light Speed
Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories?
Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter.
By signing up you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up!

This is the first time jets have been sold via an online auction in China.

Mashable Image
One of the planes which was sold for 162 million yuan Credit: taobao/screenshot
Mashable Image
The other plane, which was sold for 160 million yuan Credit: weibo/screenshot

The idea of courts holding online auctions isn't exactly a new idea however.

Almost all courts in China have registered on Taobao's platform since 2012. Some 330,000 objects from the courts have already been auctioned off for a hefty $69.6 billion, says Xinhua.

Last year, a Boeing 747 was also listed for sale on eBay for US$299,000 though it was not in working condition, with its engines removed and electrical components having been stripped off -- essentially, it was a shell for sale. According to Boeing, 747s typically sell for at least $386 million.

But if you've always wanted to get your hands on a 747, fret not.

There's still one Boeing 747 available on Taobao. The court originally came into possession of three airliners, though only two managed to sell.

It's unclear if another auction will be held for the third airplane, but it still remains listed here on Taobao's auction page.

Mashable Image
Yvette Tan

Yvette is a Viral Content Reporter at Mashable Asia. She was previously reporting for BBC's Singapore bureau and Channel NewsAsia.


Recommended For You
The long, thorny history of Boeing's Starliner spaceship
Starliner approaching the International Space Station

Launch of Boeing's Starliner spaceship gets scuttled. Yes, again.
Starliner launching on a ULA Atlas V Centaur rocket

NASA astronauts blast off in tense launch on Boeing spacecraft
Starliner jettisoning solid rocket booster

Here's the real deal with Boeing's Starliner right now
Boeing Starliner whizzing over Earth while docked at the International Space Station

Top 10 most-bought items by Mashable readers on Prime Day, most still on sale
Apple AirPods Pro, TCL QLED TV, and Eufy robot vacuum on blue, purple, and pink background

More in Tech

Barbieland has new residents, as Mattel unveils first blind Barbie
A young girl holds a Barbie while sitting on a bed. The Barbie is dress in a purple skirt, pink top, and is holding a white cane.

Bethesda becomes first Microsoft game studio to unionize
The director and executive producer at Bethesda Game Studios, Todd Howard, addresses the crowd during the Bethesda E3 conference at LA Live

Save $50 off the Theragun Mini today at Amazon.
Man uses a Theragun Mini on his calf

Home Depot's 12-foot skeleton gets more upgrades and friends in its huge Halloween drop
the 12-foot home depot skeleton next to its 7-foot skelly's dog in a spooky setting

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 25
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Webb telescope snapped photo of huge world — in a distant solar system
An illustration of the James Webb Space Telescope as it orbits the sun in our solar system, 1 million miles from Earth.


NYT Strands hints, answers for July 25
A game being played on a smartphone.

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 25
a phone displaying Wordle
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!