Cathay Pacific takes delivery of new greener freighter, first in a fleet of 10 on order
Cathay Pacific Airways has begun taking delivery of its new fleet of Boeing 747-8 freighters, with the first arriving in Hong Kong today.
The airline said it was expecting 10 of the new-generation aircraft – among the world’s largest commercial air freighters – with four being delivered by the end of this year.
Cathay Pacific Director Cargo Nick Rhodes said: “Cargo is a very important part of Cathay Pacific’s business, accounting for around a third of our revenue in a good year.
“They will play an important role in our continued efforts to develop Hong Kong as a leading international air cargo hub.”
Cathay Pacific is the first Asia Pacific airline to take delivery of a B747-8F. The new freighter features a high-lift, low-drag wing that enhances payload and range performance, a simplified flap system to reduce noise and maintenance costs, and what is described as the most advanced commercial aircraft engine available, the GEnx-2B67.
Rhodes said the aircraft would greatly improve the efficiency and payload of Cathay Pacific’s ultra-long-haul freighter services, particularly on North American routes, and at the same time reduce the environmental impact of its operations.
The aircraft is also around 30% quieter than its predecessors.