European freight carrier Cargolux has started to deploy its Boeing 747-8F freighter on its regular cargo flights to the Brazilian city of Manaus this month becoming the first airline in the world to operate the stretched 747 variant to the Brazilian airport.
The airline debuted the aircraft on its ‘CV7606’ scheduled flight from January 25, 2015, taking use of the aircraft’s greater volume to transport a load of machinery spare parts and telecommunications equipment from Luxembourg to South America.
Cargolux first introduced flights to Manaus in May 2012 as a weekly stop on a flight routing Luxembourg – Sao Paulo – Manaus – Quito – Bogota – Maastricht – Luxembourg. This itinerary has until this week been operated using a Boeing 747-400, due to problems getting the new -8 variant approved for operation into some of its airports across South America.
The airline debuted the 747-8F in Brazil in June 2013 when it introduced the aircraft on its freight schedules to Viracopos after working with the Brazilian and Luxembourg governments for clearance to deploy the aircraft in the country.
“Our new 747-8 freighter service will bring superior performance and efficiency to our customers in Manaus,” said Dirk Reich, president and chief executive officer, Cargolux. “We are happy to say that, with Manaus coming online in our 747-8F network, we can even better boost airfreight exports from Brazil and can bring commodities like automotive parts, perishables and pharmaceutical products to their markets in a more fuel efficient and sustainable way.”
The debut of the 747-8F at Manaus underlines the versatility of the aircraft, which is now serving 164 airports worldwide,’ according to Donna Hrinak, president, Boeing Brazil and Boeing Latin America.
“The 747-8 Freighter provides our customers with the lowest operating costs and best economics in its class while providing enhanced environmental performance, enabling operators like Cargolux to grow its business at destinations like Manaus,” she added.
Among the 164 airports served by the 747-8F, 100 are served commercially by Cargolux with the type. The carrier now has eleven aircraft in its fleet and a further three units remain on order for delivery over the coming two years.
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