Atlas Air has taken delivery of the second to last Boeing 747-8 Freighter to ever be produced by the US-based aircraft manufacturer.
The 747-8F cargo aircraft is the first of two planes of the type which will serve freight transportation routes under a long-term agreement with the Switzerland-based global transport and logistics developer Kuehne+Nagel.
The recently delivered plane was nicknamed ‘Inspire’ with the second to be called ‘Empower’, Atlas Air noted in a statement released on November 23, 2022.
“This 747-8F delivery underscores the importance of our long-term strategic partnership with Kuehne+Nagel and our commitment to support their continued growth and expansion,” Atlas Air Worldwide chief executive John Dietrich said.
“We are pleased to provide their first dedicated aircraft which will proudly fly in a custom Kuehne+Nagel livery. The two 747-8Fs we will operate for Kuehne+Nagel will add more capacity and versatility for their network,” the CEO added.
Atlas Air placed an order for four new Boeing 747-8 Freighters in 2021. The first plane joined the cargo airline in June 2022, while the second one was delivered in October.
Atlas Air currently operates the largest Boeing 747 freighter fleet, totaling 52 aircraft. It also has 26 Boeing 767s, two Boeing 777s, and eight Boeing 737 freighters.
UPS Airlines, the second largest operator of ‘Queen of the Skies’ with 41 freighters of the type, took delivery of its final Boeing 747-8 freighter in April 2022.
50 years in the sky
The first Boeing 747 began operations in 1969, kickstarting Boeing’s 747 program, which has been in operation for more than 50 years.
However, in late July 2020, Boeing president and CEO Dave Calhoun announced that production of the 747 is expected to finish by the end of 2022.