Launch customer Cargolux is proud to announce the forthcoming delivery in September 2011 of its first two Boeing 747-8 Freighters. Eighteen years after it pioneered the cargo industry by becoming the first carrier worldwide to operate the 747-400 cargo airplane, Europe’s largest all-cargo airline will mark a new chapter in its long and successful history on 19 September when it will be the first airline to receive the new-generation 747-8 F.

Aircraft number one, LX-VCB – ‘City of Esch-sur-Alzette’, is named after Luxembourg’s second largest city, while LX-VCD - ‘City of Luxembourg’, its sister aircraft, is carrying the crest of the capital of the Company’s home country. Deliveries scheduled for 2011 will be complete when the third aircraft, LX-VCC – ‘City of Ettelbruck', joins the Cargolux 747-8 Freighter fleet in October.

Cargolux became the launch customer of the 747-8F when it signed a contract for 10 aircraft in November 2005. The Company placed a follow-on order for three additional aircraft in March 2007 and holds two options and 10 purchase rights. Originally slated for late 2009, Boeing’s 747-8 program has suffered a number of setbacks that have delayed the delivery of the first airplane by nearly two years.

Commenting, Frank Reimen, Cargolux President and Chief Executive Officer said: ‘We hit a few bumps on the journey from order to delivery, but I am convinced that the entire Cargolux team shares my sense of excitement and pride as we demonstrate industry leadership once again. This aircraft sets new standards in efficiency: it features greater fuel economy and the lowest operating costs of any large freighter, and boasts a significantly improved environmental performance. Clearly, the 747-8 F will be the cornerstone of our growth and profitability for the next decades and a genuine industry game changer.’

‘Everyone at Boeing is so pleased to see Cargolux take delivery of the latest member of the legendary
747 Freighter family. As launch customer, Cargolux has been closely involved in establishing the requirements for a larger aircraft with significantly enhanced capabilities and has offered valuable insight throughout the various stages of design and development’, said Elizabeth Lund, Vice President and General manager, 747 program.

With a maximum payload of 134 tonnes and about the same trip costs as the 747-400 F, the 747-8F has enough room for 7 additional pallets and 16% more cargo than its predecessor. Thanks to its advanced GE engine, improved aerodynamics and lighter materials, the 747-8 Freighter provides double-digit improvements in fuel consumption and carbon emissions – well below ICAO limits. The 747-8F is not only cleaner, but also significantly quieter as it reduces its noise footprint by 30% over its predecessor.

Cargolux 747-8F technical specifications

Maximum payload capacity: 133.9 metric tonnes
Range: 8,130 km (4,390 nautical miles) Height: 19.4m
Wing span: 68.4m Length: 76.3m Cruise Speed: Mach 0.85
Maximum takeoff weight: 442,250 kg
Engine: General Electric GEnx-2B67