The Canberra PR9 makes a final flight over Shorts and Belfast City Airport today at 10.40 am. After which the three remaining planes are put up for sale.
I heard an interview with the Belfast born pilot on the radio this morning, he explained the decision was purely an economical one. It's no longer viable for Rolls Royce to keep the jigs for 6 engines currently running, and the hydraulic pumps and related equipment are becoming increasingly expensive to recondition as second hand parts are hard to come by.
He also mentioned that these aircraft are still some of the highest flying aircraft in operation capable of reconnaissance flights at 70000 feet.