newstodate.aero
Nov 15, 2005 (newstodate): The vintage Boeing 747 program has gained fresh vigour with its newest off-shot, the Boeing 747-8.
Being launched as both a passenger and a cargo aircraft program, the freighter version has gained its first orders from Cargolux, 10 aircraft, and Nippon Cargo Airlines, eight aircraft.
Cargolux will receive its first freighter in Q3, 2009, and Nippon will see its first delivery in Q4, 2009.
The 747-8 Freighter, exploiting the technological experience from the new Boeing 878 program, will be 5.6 m longer than the 747-400 freighter, and offer a cargo capacity of 154 tonnes.
While the air cargo world has thus received the new freighter version with applause, it remains to be seen if the program will attract any customers for the passenger version.
The current 747-400 version has not landed any order for passenger aircraft for more than three years, while the freighter has remained succesful in the high-end market.
Being launched as both a passenger and a cargo aircraft program, the freighter version has gained its first orders from Cargolux, 10 aircraft, and Nippon Cargo Airlines, eight aircraft.
Cargolux will receive its first freighter in Q3, 2009, and Nippon will see its first delivery in Q4, 2009.
The 747-8 Freighter, exploiting the technological experience from the new Boeing 878 program, will be 5.6 m longer than the 747-400 freighter, and offer a cargo capacity of 154 tonnes.
While the air cargo world has thus received the new freighter version with applause, it remains to be seen if the program will attract any customers for the passenger version.
The current 747-400 version has not landed any order for passenger aircraft for more than three years, while the freighter has remained succesful in the high-end market.