Picks Up Eight-Plane Deal Terminated By Avion Group
Boeing announced Monday that Deucalion Capital VII Limited
("Deucalion"), a company advised and managed by DVB Bank AG, has
purchased eight Boeing 777 Freighters for lease to AeroLogic, a new
joint venture airline formed by Lufthansa Cargo and DHL
Express.
Valued at $2 billion at list prices, the eight 777 Freighters
were ordered by Avion Group of Iceland in 2005. Avion Group
terminated its order and the airplanes were picked up by Deucalion
in late 2007. Deucalion will lease the freighters to AeroLogic, the
joint venture first announced by Lufthansa Cargo and DHL Express
last year, for cargo services on European-Asian routes. AeroLogic
will operate out of Leipzig, Germany.
"The 777 Freighter's twin-engine fuel efficiency, low noise and
overall capability are perfectly suited for our new cargo service
out of Leipzig," said AeroLogic Managing Director Dr. Thomas Papke.
"Its combination of long range and maximum payload make it a highly
economical and profitable freighter. I can't imagine another
freighter that would work as well as the 777 Freighter in meeting
our demanding environmental and performance targets."
Boeing says the 777 Freighter will be capable of flying 4,885
nautical miles with a full payload, making it the world's
longest-range freighter. The aircraft will also sport the lowest
trip cost of any large freighter, the planemaker claims, and
excellent ton-mile economics.
"As one of the newest members of the Boeing family of
freighters, the 777 Freighter is a symbol of our commitment to
offering customers the most capable and efficient freighters in the
world," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales for Europe,
Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "With a
record 83 orders for freighters in 2007, our freighter family is
recognized by customers around the world as offering superior
performance. I look forward to our partnership with AeroLogic as
the 777 Freighter becomes a cornerstone of its success."
With a maximum takeoff weight of 766,000 pounds, the 777
Freighter will have a revenue payload capability of more than
226,000 pounds. The aircraft is also designed to seamlessly
interline with 747 freighters.
In addition, the 777 Freighter will meet QC2 noise standards for
maximum accessibility to noise-sensitive airports.