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Boeing’s 747-8 program has received a signifiant boost with a new order from United Parcel Service (UPS) for up to 28 aircraft.
The global freight and logistics company based in Atlanta has ordered 14 747-8Fs with an option for a further 14, Boeing said on Thursday (US time).
“These aircraft are a strategic investment for increased capacity for UPS customers around the globe,” UPS Airlines president Brendan Canavan said in a statement.
“The 747-8 will allow UPS to upsize our network in both new and existing markets.”
Figures from the Boeing website showed that the 747-8 program had 15 unfilled orders at September – not including the UPS order – comprising six freighters and nine of the passenger variant.
As a result, the UPS order almost doubles the backlog for the 747 program, which has been struggling for new orders amid a sluggish cargo market and the preference for fuel-efficient twin-engine aircraft in the passenger market.
Currently, Boeing is producing the aircraft at a rate of 0.5 units a month.
The 747-8 has logged three net orders so far in 2016 – AirBridgeCargo Airlines ordered four, while there was one cancellation.
“UPS could not have selected a better aircraft to meet its growing business needs,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president, sales, North America and Leasing Brad McMullen said in a statement.
“We’ve continued to make the 747-8 Freighter even better, and we look forward to seeing UPS introduce it to its fleet.”
UPS said in a statement the new 747-8Fs would be delivered between 2017 and 2020 and would be used to boost capacity in busy markets through a “cascade” of aircraft-route reassignments.
“UPS is making several strategic capital investments for increased global operating capacity,” UPS chairman and chief executive David Abney said.
“These investments will help enable customers to expand their presence in new and existing markets while fueling our profitable growth and attainment of UPS’s long term business objectives.”
The company has 13 Boeing 747-400F freighters in its fleet.
PAUL
says:Great Aircraft…
Seshadri Krishnan
says:Boeing 747 aircraft are the most reliable airplanes in the world.First had the experience when I boarded 747 aircraft in 1981 at Mumbai airport for Doha International airport..The plane was flying smoothly in wind turbulence and CAT .The most incredible flying machine.I want more advance version of these planes to be made but retain 747 prefix to the of aircraft. Former Metman at Mumbai Doha Abudhabi International airport.
Peter Rutten
says:The 747 will always forver be known as the Queen of the skies, too bad the dash 8 & A380 will most likely be the last quad engined commercial planes ever built.
That Ron guy
says:Never use words like “never” or “ever”, because they’re never ever true. We have no idea what propulsion systems will be like in 100 years time (who could have imagined today’s, a hundred years ago), but I’m sure whatever form large future aircraft take, they’ll probably need multiple engines.
Marc
says:Still one of the best lookers in the sky.
Sam
says:Now Qantas needs to order the 747-8i to replace their 747-400 and a380. The syngeries are there with the existing 747-400 and the engines common ( 747-8i) with the new order 787-9. Ther is no better flying than in the nose of the 747!
Phillip Maguire
says:Yes, the 747 in it’s various generational configurations has been in our skies since the early 1970’s, and it is still my preferred aircraft for long-haul flights. It is a shame many airlines have now adopted two engine aircraft to replace their 747 fleets. I also feel safer in a 747 over long stretches of the worlds major ocean expanses, as it has the 4 engines to rely on, instead of just 2. It is a solid, strong and reliable aircraft, and is very comfortable, not being buffeted around so much with high altitude turbulence like I’ve experienced with some 2 engine aircraft over recent times. And yes, I do agree with Marc that the 747 is still one of the best looking planes in the sky… even today. The airlines seem transfixed on the 787 dreamliner or Airbus’s equivalent for some reason, but given the choice, I much prefer the comfortable and roomy 747-8i, and will choose it if given the choice.
Damon Lang
says:Great investment, UPS!
The 747-8f is perfect for routes such as Los Angeles to Sydney, Singapore to Paris, etc. This will definitely help UPS expand it’s route network, and the 747-8 is perfect for the job. It’s the roomiest and most fuel – efficient cargo aircraft currently being produced.
Chris
says:Pull yourself together guys. The 747 is almost dead. And for a good reason too. She didn’t evolve to the ever changing market and simply couldn’t compete against the new players in the A-380, 787, A350 etc…..
Secondly, as far as the ‘safest’ or most ‘reliable’ aircraft comments are concerned, you may want to do some research.
Finally, Captain Richard Champion de Crespigny of the ill-fated QF32 said in his book that he spent most of his life flying the 747 and loved the aircraft dearly. Still does. But he said that if that famous QF32 flight was a 747 and not an A380, none of them would be here today. He clearly states that a 747 would NOT have remained flying under those particular circumstances. Pure and simple.
So as much as we all love the 747 and the service of which she has given us all over the decades, lets stay real and respect her for what she was. Not pretend she’s something she’s not because one last order came in fro UPS for a version that has otherwise been widely accepted as a failure. You sound like F-14 Tomcat fanboys.
Malcolm Dousha
says:Magnificent aircraft – getting better with time…
Derrick Aguero
says:Still life in the old girl yet!!!
But most airline are run for shareholders and accountants so the four engine aircraft will soon die out and be replaced with more efficient twin engine aircraft. As for the range the 777 still hold a few records for the longest passenger services.
Tropicalcat
says:Ah, first flight for tropicalcat as a callow youth was in a Pan Am 747 from ALK – LAX. Remembered distinctly the spiral staircase.
Then when life was better, it didn’t get better than when flying in the top deck, which was my favourite place on my favourite plane.
Ah nostalgic, it’s not what it used to be…..