Atlas Air Worldwide has placed an order for up to 26 Boeing 747-8 freighters.
The deal, which Flight first reported in August, includes 12 firm orders at a value of $3.4 billion at list prices. Atlas Air also has options and purchase rights on an additional 14 aircraft.
Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2010, and all 12 firm orders are expected to be in service by the end of 2011, the US cargo operator says in a statement.
“With this order, [Atlas Air Worldwide] continues its market leadership by launching the next generation 747 freighter for its customers,” notes Atlas Air.
President and chief executive William Flynn adds: “Worldwide air cargo traffic is projected to grow by over six percent annually for the next two decades, tripling over current traffic levels for our ACMI [aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance], charter and scheduled service customers. With its increased capacity, greater range at equivalent payloads, and lower operating costs, the 747-8F gives our customers a cutting-edge aircraft to meet this growth in global air cargo demand.”
In the same release, Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ new president and chief executive Scott Carson notes: “Atlas has been instrumental in making the 747 freighter family the industry standard and, with the addition of the new 747-8 freighter, Atlas continues its legacy of delivering high value and quality customer service.”
Source: FlightGlobal.com
