BOEING has confirmed that it is to press ahead with plans to introduce a cargo version of its very successful 777 ”big twin”. First flown in June 1994 and put into service by United Airlines the aircraft has to date pulled in nearly 650 orders. The new cargo aircraft will be based on the 777-200LR (Longer Range) and will easily be the world”s largest freighter. It will provide for 27 standard pallets on its main deck and 10 in its lower cargo hold with a range of 5,200 nautical miles with a full payload. The first 777-200LR will enter passenger service in 2006 with the freighter following in 2008. The Boeing 747 freighter accounts for more than half the world's total air cargo capacity.
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