Atlas Air has confirmed plans to buy new Boeing 747-400 freighters, and has signed a Ìrm purchase contract worth about $1.7 billion for ten aircraft, and options on a further ten.
The transaction, which represents the US cargo carrier's first purchase of new aircraft, was forecast earlier this year (Flight International, 16-22 April).
Atlas will take delivery of the first four aircraft in 1998, with the remaining six following between 1999 and 2001.
Atlas, based in Golden, Colorado, has a fleet of 19 ex-airline, General Electric CF6-powered 747-200Fs, and the CF6-80C2 has been selected to power the -400Fs. The -200Fs, which are operated on aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance contracts with carriers worldwide, will remain the "mainstay" of the fleet, says the airline. The 747-400Fs will replace five -200Fs now on lease to FedEx through to the end of the year, and will also be used cater for growth.
The deal provides a boost for the -400F programme. Boeing had previously only received 18 orders from a few airlines. Although the 747-400 offers longer range and improved efficiency compared with the 747 "Classics", the market has been put off by the $160 million price, preferring to buy converted, ex-airline aircraft.
Source: Flight International
