Boeing receives orders for new 747-8 freighter

Boeing receives orders for new 747-8 freighter    Cargolux Airlines and Nippon Cargo Airlines have placed firm orders for 18 of Boeing’s new 747-8 freighter planes, becoming the launch customers for the aircraft which was officially launched Monday.
   Luxembourg-based Cargolux, which operates an all-Boeing fleet of 13 747-400 freighters, has ordered 10 of the 747-8 freighters as well as holding purchase rights for 10 more.
   Japanese Nippon Cargo Airlines placed firm orders for eight of the 747-8 freighters and acquired options for six additional airplanes. The airline presently operates 13 747 freighters and has six more 747-400Fs on order.
   Boeing said that the firm orders from the two launch customers are valued at approximately $5 billion at list prices.
   The 747-8 freighter will be 5.6 meters (18.3 feet) longer than the 747-400 freighter with a total payload capacity of 140 metric tons, providing 16 percent more cargo revenue volume than the 747-400.
   Cargolux will take delivery of the first 747-8F in third-quarter 2009.
   “The increased payload capacity and much improved efficiency will allow us to continue our expansion and maximize our profitability. Equally important to us and the communities where we operate is the new standard the 747-8 Freighter will set in noise reduction,” said Ulrich Ogiermann, Cargolux’s president and chief executive officer.
   Nippon Cargo Airlines will receive its first 747-8 freighter in the fourth-quarter 2009. “The 747-8 Freighter will be very important in allowing Nippon Cargo to take advantage of the high expected cargo market growth in Asia,” said Takuro Uchiyama, president and CEO of Nippon Cargo Airlines. “In addition, the 747-8 freighter will be the world’s most efficient cargo airplane, which is a key attribute with today’s high cost of fuel.”