Atlas Air takes delivery of new Boeing 747F as production nears end

The production of the Boeing 747 is approaching the end, with Atlas Air taking delivery of one of its last four Boeing 747-8 freighters. 

The new Boeing 747-8 freighter, registered as N860GT, will be operated on behalf of Cainiao, the logistics arm of China’s Alibaba Group.  

“We are pleased that the first of our new 747s will be placed on a long-term basis with Cainiao, as they continue strengthening their presence as a global e-Commerce logistics leader, and we look forward to continue supporting their growth and expansion,” Michael T. Steen, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Atlas Air Worldwide, said on June 2, 2022. 

Read more: Atlas Air enjoys record results in 2021 amid freight boom

The final three Boeing 747Fs will be delivered to Atlas Air by the end of 2022, closing the popular freighter’s production line. Atlas Air is currently the largest Boeing 747 operator, with a total of 47 747 freighters in its fleet.  

The Boeing 747-8F has a range of 4,265 nautical miles (7,408 kilometers) and a payload capability of 133 tons. The 747F is a commercial freighter, which also has a nose-loading capability.  

In April 2022, UPS Airlines took delivery of its final Boeing 747-8 freighter, leaving the carrier the world’s second largest Boeing 747 operator, with a total of 41 747 freighters.