That Makes... Carry The Three... A Lot Of Orders For Boeing In
2005
Boeing announced Thursday the manufacturer has signed a deal
with Ireland's Avion Group for the purchase of four 777 Freighters.
The airplanes are in addition to an order for four 777 Freighters
that Avion Group placed with Boeing last September, and were
previously posted as unidentified on Boeing’s Orders &
Deliveries website.
The announcement comes as Boeing is poised to end the year with
one of the manufacturer's strongest showings ever, with over 800
gross orders (including options) booked in 2005. Only 1986's 877
orders -- which also included sales of aircraft made by
McDonnell-Douglas, which Boeing merged with in 1997 -- beats 2005
in the record books.
The new cargo planes will be operated by Avion Group’s
subsidiary, wet-lease operator Air Atlanta Icelandic.
"Our customers are very enthusiastic about the 777 Freighter,"
said Hafthor Hafsteinsson, CEO of Air Atlanta Icelandic. "It became
clear after our initial order that demand for the 777 Freighter
would exceed our expectations. This freighter’s size and
economics make it an excellent choice for our comprehensive fleet
renewal program. The 777 Freighter is a great complement to the 747
Freighters that we currently operate and will continue to operate
on behalf of our customers."
Air Atlanta Icelandic is the world’s largest ACMI
(aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) service provider,
offering tailor-made solutions to other carriers, both in the
passenger and cargo industry.
Avion Group’s eight 777 Freighters will provide additional
capacity for a number of the world’s top carriers. The first
777 Freighter for Air Atlanta Icelandic is scheduled for delivery
in February 2009.
The 777 Freighter -- based on the 777-200LR (Longer Range)
passenger airplane -- will be capable of flying 4,965 nautical
miles (9,195 kilometers) with a full payload and market-preferred
cargo load density. The 777 Freighter will fly farther than any
other freighter and provides more capacity than any other
twin-engine freighter.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 766,000 pounds (347,450
kilograms), the 777 Freighter will have a revenue payload
capability of 229,000 pounds (103 metric tons).
The 777 Freighter will be powered exclusively by the world's
most powerful commercial jet engine, General Electric's GE90-110B1,
and will meet QC2 noise standards for maximum accessibility to
noise-sensitive airports.
Boeing freighters of all models comprise more than 90 percent of
the total worldwide freighter lift. Boeing forecasts that large
widebody freighters (65 metric tons and above in capacity) will
comprise 31 percent of the market by 2023.
Since the program’s launch in May 2005, four operators
have joined the 777 Freighter launch team -- Air France, the Avion
Group, Emirates and Air Canada. The first delivery of the 777
Freighter is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2008 to Air
France.