Freight forwarder Panalpina and Atlas Air have signed a new multi-year aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) contract for two leading-edge technology Boeing 747-8Fs to replace Panalpina’s two current Boeing 747-400Fs.
The Boeing 747-8Fs, to enter service in the first half of 2012, is optimally set up to meet industry-specific requirements and the increasing demand for large-freighter capacity, especially in the healthcare, hi-tech, automotive, and oil and gas industries, Panalpina said.
“There is a high demand in large-freighter capacity in general, but particularly in healthcare for temperature-sensitive cargo,” Panalpina said. “The 747-8F offers enhanced visibility for healthcare cargo via Atlas’s integrated operations monitoring system that monitors such things as the environment (e.g., temperature control).”
Compared to the 747-400F, the 747-8F has 16 percent additional cargo volume, but with an expected lowest carbon dioxide emissions in its class.
The Boeing 747-8 freighter, also called “Dash 8,” is 5.6 meters longer than the 747-400 freighter. The additional 120 cubic meters of volume, afforded by the longer fuselage, offers space for four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-deck pallets. The total cargo volume is increased by 16 percent to 833 cubic meters.
The maximum payload is 139 tonnes, 20 tonnes more than with the 747-400F. For speed and efficiency, cargo on the 747-8F can be loaded and unloaded using both the nose and side doors.
The Dash 8 has carbon dioxide emissions that are 12 percent lower than the 747-400F, and a noise footprint that is 30 percent less. It plays a key role in Panalpina’s PanGreen initiative to reduce the environmental impact of its business activities and services.
The lease of two newest-generation Boeing 747-8F aircraft strengthens Panalpina’s own controlled air freight network. “The upgrade … is expected to deliver improved, next-generation performance in terms of payload, fuel efficiency, total cost per tonne-mile, and environmental impact,” said Matthias Frey, global head of own-controlled air freight network at Panalpina.
The two aircraft will carry the Panalpina brand and be called “Spirit of Panalpina” and “Passion for Solutions.”
Long-time partner Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc., the only ACMI operator able to offer the 747-8F, will continue to operate the new aircraft.
Photo from Panalpina
