First 747-8 freighter lands at ABC

   Boeing said it has delivered the first of five new 747-8 freighters to AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC), part of Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Group.
   The 747-8 freighter is about 250 feet long, or 18 feet longer than its predecessor, the 747-400 all-cargo plane. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume, which translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets, Boeing said.
   Two more 747-8s will join ABC’s fleet in March and September. The last two planes on order are scheduled for delivery in 2013. In addition, ABC has options for five more 747-8s.
   By the end of 2012, after retiring its older planes, ABC’s all-cargo fleet will consist of three 747-8s and eight 747-400s.