Parties Say Deal Will Solidify A Long-Term Strategic Partnership

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings confirmed Friday that its 49%-owned UK subsidiary, Global Supply Systems Limited (GSS), has signed a five-year wet leasing agreement with British Airways Plc to operate three next-generation Boeing 747-8 freighters on behalf of British Airways starting in 2011.

Under this long-term aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) outsourcing contract, GSS will provide a turnkey solution for British Airways’ cargo division, British Airways World Cargo (BAWC). GSS will lease the 747-8F aircraft that it will operate for BAWC from AAWW’s Atlas Air unit, which expects to take delivery of the aircraft from Boeing in early 2011.

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings is the only provider of outsourced aviation solutions to offer customers the new 747-8F aircraft, which is expected to deliver market-leading performance in terms of payload, fuel efficiency, total cost per tonne-mile and environmental compliance.

“BAWC is a vital link in the global logistics chain, and it will be one of the first air carriers in the world to benefit from the 747-8F’s leading-edge technology," said William J. Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of AAWW. "Through GSS, our new aircraft will give BAWC increased capacity and revenue-generating capability in a growing airfreight market, while improving fuel economy and providing the lowest tonne-mile costs of any freighter alternative.”

Steve Gunning, Managing Director of British Airways World Cargo, said, “The decision to once again work alongside our long-term freighter partners, GSS and Atlas Air, to upgrade to the Boeing 747-8 freighter was an important step by British Airways World Cargo. It is our view that long-haul freighters form an integral part of our overall business strategy – providing flexibility and capacity on resilient and growing lanes – as we strive for continued excellence in all key areas of the business, including product range, customer service and, of course, network offering.”

The Boeing 747-8 freighter, which will be 18.3 ft longer than the 747-400 freighter, is expected to be the largest, most-efficient, long-haul heavy freighter in the market. With a maximum structural payload capacity of 154 tons, the 747-8F is expected to provide 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared with the benchmark 747-400F. The additional 4,245 cubic feet of volume afforded by the longer fuselage offers space for four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets. For maximum speed and efficiency, cargo on the 747-8F can be loaded and unloaded using both the nose and side doors.

“Our freighter-leasing customers are growth-oriented market leaders, with a strategic focus on cargo," Flynn added. "The global scale and scope of our leasing and service solutions enable our customers to effectively expand their capacity and operations, and to capitalize on market opportunities around the world without having to wait for new production freighters to be built or having to commit their balance sheets to new aircraft purchases. We anticipate significant growth in our fleet with our new 747-8F aircraft. Together with our modern 747-400 freighters, our aircraft anchor a fleet strategy that focuses on our customers and reinforces our position as the most-advanced, most-efficient, and most-reliable provider of leased freighter aircraft and outsourced aircraft operating services and solutions to the global aviation industry.”

FMI: www.ba.com,  www.atlasair.com