Get ready to send the very last Boeing 747 into service.....

Boeing will present a live webcast of the ceremony marking the delivery of the final 747 to Atlas Air later today, January 31st at 16:00 eastern time, 13:00 pacific time, and 21:00 gmt.

Thousands of people – including current and former employees as well as customers and suppliers – will celebrate the final delivery in the factory constructed to produce the iconic widebody with the distinctive hump. The final aeroplane, a 747-8 Freighter, is the 1,574th manufactured during 55 years of production.

While the event is not open to the public, Boeing will make this live webcast available globally at this link.

747-8F range

747-8F cross section.

More details about Boeing Freighters

Atlas Air takes delivery of a new Boeing 747-8 freighter aircraft - the first of two placed on long-term agreement with Kuehne+Nagel

 

Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAWW) today announced it has taken delivery of a Boeing 747-8 Freighter. This aircraft is the third of four new Boeing 747-8 Freighters Atlas Air ordered in January 2021 and is the first of two 747-8Fs Atlas Air will operate for its customer Kuehne+Nagel under a long-term agreement.

“This 747-8F delivery underscores the importance of our long-term strategic partnership with Kuehne+Nagel and our commitment to support their continued growth and expansion,” said John Dietrich, President and Chief Executive Officer, of Atlas Air Worldwide. “We are pleased to provide their first dedicated aircraft which will proudly fly in a custom Kuehne+Nagel livery. The two 747-8Fs we will operate for Kuehne+Nagel will add more capacity and versatility for their network.”

Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, said: "It is a very special moment for us to see Kuehne+Nagel 747-8F ‘Inspire.’ taking off. Together with the very last 747-8F that we named ‘Empower.’, these aircraft will support our customers with reliable and flexible solutions globally, continuing the legacy of the most incredible aviation programs in history. We are delighted to celebrate this with our partners Atlas Air and Boeing and looking forward to seeing our aircraft connecting the world.”

With more than 79,000 employees at over 1,300 sites in over 100 countries, the Kuehne+Nagel Group is one of the world's leading logistics providers. It operates in sea logistics, air logistics, road logistics and contract logistics, with a clear focus on integrated logistics solutions.

Atlas’ investment in these new aircraft underscores our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship through the reduction of noise, aircraft emissions and resource consumption. With its advanced design and engines, the 747-8F offers a 16% improvement in fuel use and CO2 emissions per tonne and a 30% smaller noise footprint compared to the previous generation of aircraft.

"With Atlas Air taking delivery of the final 747s for its customer Kuehne+Nagel, this iconic Boeing aeroplane will continue to move cargo around the world for decades to come,” said Kim Smith, Vice President and General Manager of the Boeing 747/767 Program. "As we say goodbye to the ‘Queen of the Skies’, we’re proud of her legacy as an aeroplane that propelled aviation innovation and later laid the foundation for our family of freighters."

Atlas Air Worldwide is a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. It is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc., and Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc., and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. Our companies operate the world’s largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft and provide customers the broadest array of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional and international cargo and passenger operations.

Atlas Air Takes Delivery of New Boeing 747-8 Freighter

Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. has taken delivery of a Boeing 747-8 Freighter.  Photo Boeing

Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. has taken delivery of a Boeing 747-8 Freighter. As previously announced, this is the second of four new 747-8 Freighters ordered by Atlas Air in 2021. These are the last 747-8 Freighters ever to be produced by Boeing.

The 747-8F is the most capable, technologically advanced and environmentally friendly widebody freighter, providing 20% higher payload capacity and 16% lower fuel consumption than the very capable 747-400F.

This aircraft has been placed under a long-term agreement with an existing customer.

“We are pleased to receive this additional 747-8F, and to add more capacity and value to our customers,” said John Dietrich, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “Atlas’ investment in these new aircraft underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship through the reduction of aircraft emissions, resource consumption and noise.”

The iconic Boeing 747 program has been in operation for over 50 years and these aircraft will continue to play a critical role in keeping global supply chains moving for decades to come. The 747-8 is the only factory-built freighter with nose-loading capability in production, which will serve the long-term needs of the airfreight market.

Photo Boeing

First of four new Boeing 747-8 freighters arrives for Atlas Air

Atlas Air, one of the leading suppliers of cargo and freight solutions to airlines, has taken delivery of a Boeing 747-8 freighter, which will operate on behalf of its customer Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group. 

This new aircraft will increase capacity on routes between China and the Americas and is the first of four new 747-8 freighters that Atlas expects to receive from Boeing this year.  The addition of this 747-8F expands service for Cainiao between China, the United States, Brazil and Chile aboard the most capable, technologically advanced and environmentally-friendly widebody freighter, providing 20% higher payload capacity and 16% lower fuel consumption than the very capable 747-400F.

The iconic Boeing 747 program has been in operation for over 50 years and will continue to play a critical role in keeping global supply chains moving for decades to come “These four new 747-8s allow us to offer our customers significant growth opportunities to capitalize on strong demand and deliver value on what we consider among the best and most versatile widebody freighters in the market,” said Michael T. Steen, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “We are pleased that the first of our new 747s will be placed on a long-term basis with Cainiao, as they continue strengthening their presence as a global e-Commerce logistics leader, and we look forward to continue supporting their growth and expansion.”

Dandy Zhang, Commercial Director of Cainiao’s Cross-border business said: “As a global smart logistics company, Cainiao has been consistently enhancing our logistics services to satisfy the booming demand for e-Commerce in the Americas. We have been operating daily chartered flights linking China and the Americas since last year, in partnership with Atlas Air, and now we are excited to embrace the new 747-8 freighter as a token of commitment to serve our global customers with sustainable and efficient logistics.”

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Boeing CEO knocks planemaker's deal with Trump on Air Force One....

Boeing said Wednesday it recorded a $660 million charge in its development of Air Force One as its chief executive questioned the planemaker's U.S. presidential aircraft deal, reports Reuters.

In December 2016, then U.S. President-elect Donald Trump extracted a promise from then Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg that the cost of replacing Air Force One would not exceed $4 billion. Trump had earlier urged the government to cancel purchase of Boeing's new Air Force One saying it was "ridiculous" and too expensive.

Boeing on Wednesday recorded a $660-million charge on the Air Force One program, "primarily driven by higher supplier costs, higher costs to finalize technical requirements and schedule delays." It recorded a $318-million charge in April 2021 on the program "largely due to COVID-19 impacts and performance issues at a key supplier."

"Air Force One -- I'm just going to call a very unique moment, a very unique negotiation, a very unique set of risks that Boeing probably shouldn't have taken," Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun told investors. "But we are where we are, and we're going to deliver great aeroplanes. And we're going to recognize the costs associated with it."

The Boeing 747-8s are designed to be an airborne White House able to fly in worst-case security scenarios, such as nuclear war, and are modified with military avionics, advanced communications and a self-defence system.

Boeing received a $3.9 billion contract in 2018 for two 747-8 aircraft to be delivered around 2024. The Pentagon said this month the planes are not likely to be delivered until 2026.

Reporting by David Shepardson and Eric M. Johnson

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GDC Technics lays off 223 people after losing Air Force One job

Photo Boeing

GDC Technics confirmed on Friday that it was being forced to lay off 223 jobs after Boeing gave the subcontractor the sack from working on the new VC-25B aircraft, commonly known as Air Force One when the President is on board. 

GDC Technics CEO Brad Foreman said it anticipated most operations at its Fort Worth headquarters would cease. It also would close its San Antonio facility where the Air Force One work was done.

Boeing had taken legal action against GDC, which it said was running into financial problems and had missed deadlines, causing millions in damages to Boeing and jeopardizing work critically important to the U.S. Air Force and the president.

Voyager Announces the Lease Conversion of a Second 747-8F

Voyager Aviation Holdings,  announced this week that it has entered into an agreement with AirBridgeCargo Airlines and Volga-Dnepr Group to convert the operating lease on one (1) of the Company’s 747-8F aircraft into a finance lease. The transaction is the second conversion of a 747-8F operating lease with AirBridgeCargo (part of Volga-Dnepr Group) to a finance lease.

“This second lease conversion, following the first transaction announced on December 14, 2020, is indicative of the continued strength of the cargo market and performance of AirBridgeCargo and Volga-Dnepr,” said Voyager’s President & Chief Executive Officer, Mike Lungariello. “Voyager is pleased to offer innovative financing solutions to our customers, and we will continue to do so in the future when opportunities present themselves.”

Atlas Air Worldwide order four Boeing 747-8 Freighters - the last ones ever.

Atlas Air Worldwide has confirmed an agreement to purchase four 747-8 Freighters from planemaker Boeing, closing out the 747-8 production line in 2022.

“The 747-8F is the best and most versatile widebody freighter in the market, and we are excited to bolster our fleet with the acquisition of these four aircraft,” said John W. Dietrich, Atlas Air Worldwide President and Chief Executive Officer. “This significant growth opportunity will enable us to capitalize on strong demand and deliver value for our existing and prospective customers. The 747-8F further complements our longstanding focus on leading-edge technology. Dedicated freighters – like those operated by our Atlas, Polar and Southern subsidiaries – will continue to be in demand as the global airfreight market, particularly the e-commerce and express sectors, continues to grow.”

The 747-8F has a maximum payload capacity of 137.7 metric tonnes (137,750 kg) and on average uses 16% less fuel compared to previous-generation 747s. The jet also features 30% quieter engines. The 747-8 aeroplanes in this agreement will be the final four aircraft to roll off the production line in Everett, Washington.

Voyager announces the lease conversion of a 747-8F

Voyager Aviation Holdings,  announced on Monday, 14th December that it has entered into an agreement with AirBridgeCargo Airlines to convert the operating lease on one of the Company’s 747-8F aircraft into a finance lease. The aircraft remains on lease to the current lessee, AirBridgeCargo. The aircraft will remain in the Voyager fleet and the Company will continue to receive periodic cash flow to equity from the aircraft.

The net proceeds from the transaction are expected to provide the Company with significant additional liquidity, which Company intends to use for general corporate purposes. The transaction is indicative of the strength in the cargo market, the performance of AirBridgeCargo, and the Company’s ability to provide solutions to its customers and to do so expeditiously.

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The end of the line for the jumbo.........

The jumbo is coming to the end of the line.....

The US aviation giant Boeing along with its numerous suppliers agreed on the number of parts it would need for the last 747's to be built more than a year ago, according to industry sources reported Reuters this weekend.

If confirmed,  this would mean the end of the jumbo,  the hump,  the lump,  the big bird, the queen of the skies and the stalwart of long-haul passenger jet transport of the '70s and '80s, in two years time. 

Boeing President and Bill Allen and Pan Am CEO Juan Trippe (right) celebrate the launch of the Boeing 747 “Jumbo Jet” in 1968.Photo Boeing

For many a long year the instantly recognizable 747 has plied the major air routes of the world, first as a passenger jet and then as a giant delivery truck, which, it can be argued kept the production line ticking along, longer than should have been expected.

Now the end of the line for these big beasts of aeronautical wonder is in sight,  but not just insight,  it is just around the corner.  The last order for a passenger version came in 2017 -  but not from an airline,  but U.S. administration needing a recognizably American replacement for the modified 747-200s that became the Boeing VC-25s which are perhaps wrongly better known as 'Air Force One'.  So, a couple of 747-8 jets from cancelled orders are being repurposed, modified and made into flying command posts for the next U.S. President.

Qantas to get 747-8F for its freight operation

Qantas Freight has announced it will lease two Boeing 747-8F freighter aircraft, offering greater capacity and improved efficiency for its global freight customers.

The next-generation freighters will replace the current two Boeing 747-400F that are currently operated on Qantas’ behalf by Atlas Air and will be painted in Atlas livery.

Widely regarded as one of the most efficient freighter aircraft in service, the 747-8F features a longer fuselage than the Boeing 747-400F, offering up to 20 per cent more freight capacity with space for seven extra pallets.

Aviation Capital Group confirms funding for a Boeing 747-8F cargo aircraft for AirBridgeCargo

Photo AirBridgeCargo

Aviation Capital Group, a leading aircraft operating lessor, announced this week that it has structured, arranged, and provided a guarantee of a loan by MUFG Bank Ltd. (MUFG) to finance a portion of the purchase price of one Boeing 747-8F aircraft delivered to 

AirBridgeCargo (ABC) Airlines, one of the world’s leading air cargo carriers.

The ABC financing utilized ACG’s Aircraft Financing Solutions (AFS) program. The AFS program complements ACG’s operating lease business by providing customers with cost-effective aircraft financing solutions. Among operating lessors, ACG believes that it has created a unique aircraft financing program.

Boeing sell 5 747-8 Freighters to the Russians -

A big freighter deal between Boeing and Russian cargo specialists Volga-Dnepr Group and CargoLogicHolding was signed at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow on the intention to buy 29 Boeing 777 Freighters and confirmed an order for five Boeing 747-8 Freighters along with an agreement to work together on future freighter projects.

Qatar Airways Announces $2.16 billion Boeing order

Qatar Airways has announced an order for two Boeing 747-8 Freighters and four 777-300ERs, valued at $2.16 billion at list prices. The order, a sign of the airline’s continued expansion and contribution to the US economy, adds to the airline’s current fleet of nearly 100 Boeing widebody aeroplanes and its more than 100 additional Boeing aircraft on order.

The announcement was made at a delivery ceremony in Everett, Washington, where the airline also received the first of its 747-8 Freighters. The ceremony was attended by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, Boeing Vice Chairman, Mr Ray Conner, and Boeing Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kevin McAllister.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr Akbar Al Baker, said: “Qatar Airways operates one of the youngest and fastest-growing fleets in the sky, and Boeing unceasingly proves to be a valuable partner to us in providing the quality aircraft that make us the world’s third largest international cargo carrier. We are very appreciative of our enduring partnership with Boeing, as it is key to our future growth, and we look forward to continuing to work with this important US partner.”