Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
Atlas Air is negotiating an order for an additional 20 Boeing 747-400Fs, together with a similar number of medium size freighters, as part of a huge expansion of the company's wet leased cargo operation.
The company completed taking delivery of 12 new 747-400s in April. As part of this earlier purchase, it holds options on another eight freighters, four of which must be exercised by next month. The aircraft are set for delivery in March, June, August and November of 2002.
Boeing has also tabled an offer for 22 General Electric CF6-80-powered 767-300Fs, which are due for delivery between June 2002 and August 2004, subject to a deal being struck.
Atlas chairman Michael Chowdry said earlier this year that the company was looking for a medium size freighter and is reported to have also evaluated the Airbus Industrie A300.
Atlas has been major target of Boeing and Airbus as a potential launch customer for a freighter version of either the 747X or A3XX. It has a more immediate need for additional aircraft however, to keep pace with the growth in demand for leased freighter capacity, particularly in Asia.
The Colorado-based company refused to comment on any specific planned new order beyond stating "we're continuing to survey the market and evaluate our options. We plan to add five to seven aircraft per year and are looking at used aircraft to handle immediate growth."
In addition to its recently delivered CF6-80-powered 747-400Fs, Atlas operates 23 older 747 -200Fs. It recently acquired three -300 combis from Varig and Sabena which are being converted to full freighters.
An Atlas order would represent a major boost for the 747-400 production line, which has become increasingly dependent on the freighter market.
Of the 32 747-400 orders booked in the last 12 months, 22 have been for the freighter version, including 13 for China Airlines and additional aircraft for Cathay Pacific Airways and Korean Airlines (KAL).
KAL is expected to place an order for two more 747-400Fs shortly and is planning to purchase another 10-12 aircraft in 2001.
Boeing - as a result of the pick-up in demand for freighters - is understood to be considering again increasing the 747 production rate, which in recent years has slowed to two per month.
Source: Flight International
