Kuehne+Nagel and Apex Logistics receive the last Boeing 747-8 freighter ‘Empower.’ from Atlas Air
Apex Logistics International, a Kuehne+Nagel company, will put into operation the last Boeing 747-8 freighter as part of the long-term charter agreement with Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AAWW). The aircraft will support customers on volatile trade lanes with reliable service, reduced transit times and increased efficiencies.
After a half-century production run of the jumbo jet, the last Boeing 747-8F under the name ‘Empower.’ was presented to the public during the official ceremony at the Boeing Everett Delivery Center in Seattle. The event marks the end of the ‘Queen of the Skies’ that helped catapult the global air logistics industry with its unique nose-loading capability, payload capacity and fuel efficiency. Following the first Kuehne+Nagel aircraft ‘Inspire.’, ‘Empower.’ will operate on the Transpacific routings strengthening the intra-Asia network with better connectivity.
Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, comments: “The names we chose for the last two iconic aircraft fit their legacy – ‘Inspire.’ and ‘Empower.’ We look forward to seeing the last 747-8F aircraft taking off to fulfil the versatile needs of our customers worldwide with unmatched capability.”
“In 2001, when Apex was founded, our guiding principle was to empower employees with the common goal of offering customers flexible and reliable solutions to their logistics needs,” said Tony Song, Group Chief Executive Officer Apex. “Twenty years later, as part of Kuehne+Nagel Group, we are proud to introduce ‘Empower.’, the newest and most exciting addition to Apex Logistics. This aircraft will reinforce our ability to provide strategic solutions and unique alternatives with passion. Together with our Apex Logistics colleagues, we are delighted to celebrate this special occasion with Kuehne+Nagel, Atlas Air and Boeing.”
“We are pleased to operate this aircraft on behalf of Apex Logistics, a Kuehne+Nagel company. This is the second 747-8F delivery as part of our long-term strategic partnership with Kuehne+Nagel, which is reflective of our commitment to provide additional capacity for expanding their air cargo network,” said John Dietrich, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “As the world’s largest operator of 747 freighters, Atlas is especially proud to take the last 747 ever to be built. We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 programme as we operate the aircraft for decades to come.”
“This monumental day is a testament to the generations of Boeing employees who brought to life the airplane that shrank the world and revolutionised travel and air cargo as the first true widebody,” said Stan Deal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
About Boeing 747-8 Freighter
The Boeing 747 is a large, long-range, wide-body airliner designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States. Often referred to by the nickname ‘Jumbo Jet’, it is among the world’s most recognisable aircraft and the first widebody ever produced.
The first 747 was the result of the work of some 50,000 Boeing people. Called ‘the Incredibles,’ these were the construction workers, mechanics, engineers, secretaries and administrators who made aviation history by building the 747 — the largest civilian airplane in the world — in roughly 16 months during the late 1960s. Since then, over 1,500 planes were manufactured in several different versions.
In November 2005, Boeing launched the 747-8 family — the 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane and the 747-8 Freighter. The 747-8 Freighter first flew on February 8, 2010. The airplane is 76.3 meters long, which is 5.6 meters longer than the 747-400 Freighter. The stretch provides 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared with its predecessor which translates to an additional four main-deck and three lower hold positions.
The Boeing 747-8F serves a crucial role in global air freight, with advanced technology that allows for lower fuel consumption, higher capacity and unique nose-loading capability.