Cathay Pacific Announce Order for Three 747-8 Freighters

Cathay 747-8 Freighter Hong Kong's flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways yesterday announced an order for three Boeing 747-8 Freighte...

Cathay 747-8 Freighter

Hong Kong's flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways yesterday announced an order for three Boeing 747-8 Freighter airplanes. The order, valued at approximately $1 billion at list prices, also includes options for five additional 777 Freighters. The new additions will bolster Cathay Pacific's 747-8 Freighter fleet to 13 airplanes.
The new 747-8 Freighters are expected to progressively replace Cathay Pacific's 747-400 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) fleet.
Cathay Pacific currently operates six 747-400 Freighters, eight 747-8 Freighters, six 747-400ER Freighters and one 747-400 BCF.
The 747-8 Freighter gives cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large freighter airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance.
At 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long -- 18 feet, 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter -- the 747-8 Freighter gives customers 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared to its predecessor with nearly equivalent trip costs and lower ton-mile costs.
With more than 100,000 hours in service, the 747-8 Freighters are achieving performance milestones with customers reporting 1 percent better fuel burn than expected.
Cathay Pacific currently operates eight 747-8 Freighters and with today's order, the airline is set to take delivery of five more.
A total of 70 747-8 Freighters have been ordered by more than nine customers around the world. To date, Boeing has delivered 28 747-8 Freighters to six airlines.