Boeing has announced the first delivery of a 747-400 Freighter
to Air China Cargo, one of two new 747-400Fs for the Beijing-based
carrier. The new airplane will be used on Air China Cargo's routes
between China and North America and Europe, and is powered by Pratt
& Whitney 4056 engines.
"The Boeing 747-400 Freighter is a key to Air China Cargo
meeting the needs of China's rapidly growing economy and booming
air cargo market," said Kong Dong, chairman of Air China Cargo. "We
anticipate the 747-400 Freighter will allow us to provide superior
cargo service to our customers, while reducing our operating costs
and increasing efficiency and profitability."
Domestic air cargo in China is expected to grow 10.6 percent
annually over the next 20 years, the highest rate in the world.
"The delivery of the new Boeing 747-400 Freighter is a new facet
in our long, mutually beneficial relationship with the Air China
family," said Larry Dickenson, vice president-Sales, Boeing
Commercial Airplanes. "Air China Cargo recognizes, as does the
world, the reliability, efficiency and value of the 747-400
Freighter in today's cargo market. This investment will make a
valuable contribution to the success and future growth of Air China
Cargo."
The global air cargo industry is one of the fastest growing
segments of the aviation market. The Boeing World Air Cargo
Forecast 2004/2005 projects that the air cargo industry will grow
at an average annual rate of 6.2 percent, significantly higher than
projected passenger traffic rates. Cargo traffic growth rates in
excess of seven percent are projected for Asian routes -- the
largest increases in the world over the next 20 years.
The 747-400 Freighter is the largest commercial cargo transport
in service, with the lowest ton-mile cost in the industry. There
are more than 110 747-400 Freighters in service worldwide,
according to Boeing, operated by a variety of air cargo
carriers.
The 747-400 Freighter can carry 124 tons (113,000 kg) of cargo
up to 4,450 nautical miles (8,240 km).
The worldwide fleet of 747 Freighters of all configurations --
nearly 300 in all -- provides more than half the world's dedicated
freighter capacity, according to Boeing. The 747 Freighter is a key
element in the development of air cargo into today's $45 billion
industry.
The 747 Freighter's cross-section is optimized to carry the
maximum amount of cargo while minimizing container weight, using
industry-standard 10-foot-high pallets. The airplane's unique
combination of a large side-cargo door and nose-cargo door provides
maximum flexibility and efficiency which can mean $1 million or
more per year on average in additional revenue and yield for the
operator.