With a very serious cloud hovering over its 43 aircraft order for the Airbus A380, including two for the cargo version, Emirates SkyCargo division has ordered ten new Boeing 747-8 Freighter, with the first one due in 2010. Since aircraft commitments are not on the spur of the moment decisions it is clear that Emirates was getting more and more concerned regarding late deliveries from Toulouse.
During an official ceremony held at Dubai's Department of Civil Aviation Emirates chairman and CEO HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (pictured above), was joined by Boeing's Dubai-based sales director, Ken Schulz. Mr Schulz said: ”Emirates SkyCargo selected the 747-8F to meet an increased requirement for capacity and operational flexibility.
The 747-8F sets the industry standard with the lowest trip costs and a payload capacity of 140 metric tons, while offering reduced noise and lower emissions. The new 747-8 Freighters position the carrier to take advantage of strong regional and international cargo markets. Air cargo traffic into, out of and within the Middle East accounted for 5.8% of the world's tonnage and nearly 5% of the world's revenue tonne-kilometres during 2005.
A cloud now hangs over the Emirates A380 Freighter commitment and the airline industry waits to see if the airline chooses to become the lead carrier for the proposed passenger version of the 747-F. The airline also has on order eight Boeing 777 Freighters with deliveries beginning in 2008.
Image source: ” Emirates