Boeing 747-8 freighter comes a step closer

Emirates Sky Cargo and DAE are one step closer to taking delivery of one of the first Boeing 747-8 freighters following the major milestone achieved today when mechanics at the factory in Washington State, USA. loaded the forward and aft fuselage sections to join with the wing and centre section.

"It is exciting to see this airplane taking shape," said Mo Yahyavi, vice president and general manager of the 747 Program. "The 747-8 is the largest commercial jet airplane we have assembled. This final body join provides us the first real look at the size of the 747-8 Freighter."

The 747-8 Freighter is 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long, which is 18 feet and 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared to its predecessor. That translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets.

Boeing claims the 747-8 Freighter will give cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any freighter airplane and will provide enhanced environmental performance. Boeing has secured 78 orders from leading cargo operators for the new aircraft.

Apart from the two Dubai customers, other customers for the new freighter include Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, , Guggenheim and Korean Air.