Boeing: Air cargo growth to continue at 6.1 percent

Boeing: Air cargo growth to continue at 6.1 percent Air cargo volumes are expected to triple during the next 20 years driving an increase in the size of planes ordered and a doubling of the freighter fleet to nearly 4,000 planes, Boeing said Wednesday in its annual market forecast.
   The increase in freighters will translate into decreased share of cargo carried in the holds of passenger planes.
   Freight traffic will grow 6.1 percent per year, based on 6.2 percent growth for freight and 2.5 percent growth for airmail — consistent with last year’s projection.
   A large portion of the expanded global freighter fleet (2,480 planes) will come from conversion of older passenger planes with the remainder (870) coming from new production of dedicated all-cargo planes, the Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer said. It revised upward its 20-year projection for the world air cargo fleet from 3,563 planes last November to 3,980 planes.
   Widebody freighters will represent 64 percent of the fleet, compared to about 58 percent today, because of their greater ability to offset higher fuel costs and operational capability.
      One of the widebody freighters Boeing is pinning its hopes on is the new 777 freighter. The airframer said it recently completed the design for 50 percent of the twin-engine freighter and released it to Boeing factories and suppliers so they can begin building parts, assemblies and tools. Boeing said it is on track to meet delivery commitments to airlines, cargo operators and leasing companies. Air France is the launch customer for the plane, with expected delivery in the fourth quarter of 2008.
   The 777 freighter will provide more capacity than any other twin-engine freighter and the lowest trip cost of any large freighter, according to Boeing. It has a revenue payload capability of 229,000 pounds (104 metric tons) and a range of 4,885 nautical miles (9,045 kilometers) with a full payload and normal densities, making it the longest-range twin-engine freighter.
   Boeing has 71 orders for the 777 freighter from 11 customers: Avion Group, Emirates, FedEx Express, Qatar Airways, Guggenheim Aviation Partners, Korean Air, GE Commercial Aviation Services, Oak Hill Capital Partners and two unidentified customers.
   The 777 freighter is designed to complement 747 cargo operations with the ability to transfer shipments directly between the two airplanes. The main cargo door of the 777 freighter will be sized to accommodate 10-foot-high (three-meter) pallets for easy interlining with 747 freighters.
   The 747 freighter fleet comprises about half of the world’s freighter capacity.