Korean Air

Korean Air has obtained its first Boeing 747-8 and 777 Freighters to expand its cargo fleet making it the first airline in the world to operate both the 747-8 and 777 Freighters.

Korean Air chairman Yang Ho Cho said: "We are very proud to become the first airline in the world to have the combined strengths of these two freighters in its fleet."

"Our cargo fleet is being improved by these fuel-saving planes," Ho Cho said.

"They can help reduce carbon emissions by 17% and this supports our goal to be a responsible citizen of the world."

The 747-8 Freighter will be deployed on the freight carrier’s long-haul routes allowing it to expand into new markets in Europe, including Vienna, Frankfurt and London.

The Boeing 747-8 Freighter has a range of 4,390nm with a maximum structural payload capacity of 148t and offers an additional 4,221ft² (120m³) and 16% more cargo volume.

The twin-engine, fuel-efficient Boeing 777 Freighter offers economic and environmental performance while offering a cargo capacity of 103t with a range of 9,038km (4,880nm).

Korean Air currently operates a fleet of 142 aircraft and flies 400 flights per day to 119 destinations in 40 countries.

The airline has ordered seven 747-8 freighters and five 777 cargo planes for delivery through 2018 and is expected to receive one more freighter this year.

In March 2011 Korean Air had ordered two more 747-8 freighters for $939m, adding to the five of its type that it had previously ordered.

The carrier is expected to receive its sixth Airbus SAS A380 passenger aircraft this year.

Korean Air has already ordered new CSeries jets from Bombardier as well as looking to add new narrow-body planes to its fleet.

 

Image: Korean Air has ordered seven 747-8 freighters for delivery through 2018. Photo: Boeing.