United Parcel Service says that its newly ordered Boeing 747-400 Freighters will be used to provide supplemental capacity on routes already earmarked for the operator’s 10 Airbus A380s, which are scheduled for delivery in 2009.
The US cargo carrier has placed firm orders for eight General Electric CF6-80C2-powered 747-400Fs, the first three of which will arrive in 2007, starting in June; the remainder following in 2008.
UPS says that its two new widebody freighter fleets will replace some Boeing MD-11 Freighters on routes connecting Asia, Europe and North America, allowing UPS “to use one aircraft to do the job of two MD-11s” in some markets. It adds that the increased capacity will also allow some of the MD-11Fs to replace its older 747-100s.
DARREN MAAS/WASHINGTON DC
Source: Flight International
