A 1966 Boeing 727 that once transported prisoners for the U.S. Marshals Service’s “Con Air” program has found a new owner after sitting abandoned at El Paso International Airport for nearly two decades. The aircraft sold at auction for just $10,132 – roughly the cost of 10 new flagship iPhones.
The derelict aircraft, which had been exposed to El Paso’s harsh weather conditions, including scorching sun, heavy rainstorms, and occasional snowfall since the early 2000s, attracted 56 bids on the government surplus website GovDeals.com before selling to an unidentified local buyer.
“I’m kind of excited to see what the new owner does with it,” said El Paso International Airport Director Tony Nevarez, noting that similar retired aircraft have been transformed into homes, bars, and other creative venues.
The plane’s journey to abandonment began after its previous owner, David Paul Tokoph of Blue Falcon Corp., died in a tragic aircraft accident near Las Cruces International Airport in 2015. After parking fees went unpaid, the city initiated legal proceedings in 2021 to take possession of the aircraft.
Despite its prestigious past as part of the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPTS), the aircraft was described in the auction listing as “not airworthy” and in “derelict condition” with repairs needed that would exceed its value. The white and blue-striped aircraft had been largely gutted during its years of exposure to the elements.
The new owner has until January 27 to remove the aircraft from the airport property or make alternative arrangements. After that date, storage fees of $45 per day will apply, with final removal required by February 3.
The proceeds from the sale will return to the airport’s budget. According to city Comptroller Margarita Marin, while this might be one of the more unique items sold by the city, surplus sales typically generate an average of $318,000 annually for El Paso. The Boeing 727, known for its distinctive rear stairs that deploy from its underbelly, was a popular commercial aircraft during its production run from 1963 to 1984. The model was particularly valued for its ability to operate from shorter runways and smaller airports.
