Boeing Celebrates 747-8 Freighter Delivery with Atlas Air and British Airways

EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) celebrated the delivery flight Thursday of the first 747-8 Freighter for Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. The delivery is the first of nine 747-8 Freighters Atlas Air has on order. Atlas Air's 49 percent subsidiary, Global Supply Systems (GSS), will operate the new freighter for British Airways World Cargo through a five-year wet-lease agreement.

"We have been looking forward to the delivery of our first 747-8F for a long time, and we are delighted that it is going into service with our valued, long-standing customer, British Airways World Cargo," said William J. Flynn, president and chief executive officer of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

As part of the lease agreement for three 747-8 Freighters with GSS, British Airways World Cargo will utilize the airplanes on long-haul routes to cargo hubs in Asia, Africa, India and the United States.

"The addition of the 747-8 Freighter to the fleet is an important step in our overall long-haul business strategy," said Jude Winstanley, senior vice president for IAG Cargo, comprised of BA World Cargo and Iberia Cargo. "The 747-8 Freighter provides us market-leading performance in terms of payload, fuel efficiency, low tonne-kilometer cost and environmental compliance." 

Kevin Schemm, vice president of North America and Leasing Sales, congratulated both Atlas Air and British Airways World Cargo on their new freighter.

"The 747-8 Freighter will enable Atlas and British Airways World Cargo to build on their success in the air cargo market," Schemm said.  "This airplane will deliver unparalleled efficiency and low operating costs, including double-digit improvements in fuel burn and lower emissions over the 747-400 it will be replacing."

The new 747-8 Freighter is 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, which is 18 feet and 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than its predecessor, the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume, which translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets. The 747-8 Freighters will be powered with GE's GEnx-2B engines.

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