Atlas Air has today taken delivery of the first of four brand new Boeing 747-8 Freighters. The new freighter will be operated on behalf of Cainiao, the logistics arm of the Alibaba Group, as part of a previously announced long-term agreement.
On Thursday (June 2, 2022), Atlas Air announced that they have taken delivery of the first of four new Boeing 747-8 Freighters. Under a previously announced long-term agreement, the new freighter will be operated on behalf of Atlas customer, Cainiao, the logistics arm of the Alibaba Group. The added Boeing 747-8F will expand Cainiao’s service between China, the U.S., Brazil and Chile, while providing 20 percent more payload capacity and a 16 percent reduction in fuel burn compared to the 747-400F. The Boeing 747-8F is the only factory built freighter with nose-loading capability currently in production.
In Thursday’s announcment, Atlas Air Worldwide’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Michael T. Steen, said,
“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. 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.”
Also commenting on the 747-8F delivery, Cainiao’s Commercial Director – Cross-Border Business, Dandy Zhang, 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.”
Purchase, New York-based Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAWW) is a leading global provider of third-party aircraft and aviation operating services. Company subsidiaries include Atlas Air, Southern Air Holdings and Titan Aviation Holdings. Additionally, the company owns a majority stake in Polar Air Cargo Worldwide. Together, the Atlas Air family of companies operate the world’s largest Boeing 747 freighter fleet. The company also offers their customers a wide selection of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional and international cargo and passenger operations.
Source: Atlas Air Worldwide