UPS Places its First Order for Boeing 747-400 Freighters
UPS yesterday announced an order for eight 747-400 Freighters. The firm order is the first UPS order placed directly with Boeing for the 747 Freighter family and the carrier's first for 747-400 Freighters.
"The purchase of these Boeing 747-400 freighters is a part of UPS's ongoing effort to accommodate strong international volume growth and will allow UPS to continue to increase capacity on our most important international routes," said Bob Lekites, UPS vice president of airline and international operations, in a Boeing statement.
Boeing says it still hopes to be able to launch an "Advanced" version of its 747, which is seen as being of particular interest to cargo operators, within a couple of months. But with that aircraft model not entering service until at least 2009 -- the same timeframe in which UPS will begin receiving its 10 Airbus A380s on order -- UPS wants the capacity sooner.
The first 747-400F delivery to UPS is scheduled for June 2007 with two additional deliveries that year, followed by the remaining five deliveries in 2008. UPS has selected General Electric CF6-80C2-B1F engines to power the new airplanes.
The 747-400F can carry a maximum 120 tons of cargo, 25 tons more cargo than the 747-200 Freighters currently in the UPS fleet. In addition to higher payload capability, the 747-400F consumes 15 percent less fuel than its predecessor, allowing the airplane to fly farther.
UPS also a big MD-11 Freighter operator, with a fleet of 20 of the type and eight future deliveries. The company also is receiving the final baker's dozen of a 53-model order for Airbus A300 Freighters, all of which will be delivered by next July.
UPS' fleet, which is more than 450 aircraft strong, also includes 727s, 747-100s and -200s, 757-200s, 767-300ERs and DC-8s.