Flight International online news 08:00GMT: China’s Jade Cargo International, which plans to launch operations next year, has confirmed an order for six Boeing 747-400 extended range freighters.
Boeing says in a statement that Jade Cargo has completed a firm order for the six 747-400ERFs and that the aircraft are to be delivered from next year through January 2008. It makes no mention of an engine selection. The deal was first reported by ATI last month.
Jade Cargo, which is based in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, plans to launch operations in 2006. Its general manager, Rudolf Tewes, is quoted in the statement as saying the new freighters “provide the best start for long-term profitability”.
Jade Cargo was earlier looking at leasing Airbus A300Fs and later Boeing 747-200Fs but ultimately decided on new 747-400ERFs in part because it plans to operate on long-haul routes to Europe and the USA.
The start-up carrier is a joint venture between China’s Shenzhen Airlines, Lufthansa Cargo and German bank Deutsche Investitions Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG).
LEITHEN FRANCIS/SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
