Reprinted from Air Cargo News, 03/16/2015
Cargolux has taken delivery of its 12th Boeing 747-8 freighter, out of an order of 14.
The Luxembourg-based all-cargo airline named its latest freighter Joe Sutter – Father of the 747, in honour of the man who designed the B747 in the 1960s.
The naming honour came as a surprise to 94 year-old Sutter, who found out only when the name was unveiled at Boeing’s Paine Field site.
Cargolux’s fleet now numbers 23 aircraft, twelve 747-8Fs and eleven 747-400Fs. The new aircraft arrived in Luxembourg with a full load of freight from Seattle to a welcoming ceremony with invited guests and Cargolux staff.
This latest aircraft is the 30th 747 freighter that Cargolux has bought new from Boeing since it acquired its first factory-fresh 747-200F in 1979. The airline pioneered the 747-400F in 1993 and the 747-8F in 2011.
Apart from its new 747 freighters, Cargolux has used a range of pre-owned or leased-in 747 aircraft, including passenger, combi and full freighter variants. Until today, the airline has operated a total of 51 Boeing 747 aircraft.
“We have built our business around the iconic 747 and therefore we wanted to celebrate our 30th direct delivery from Boeing by honouring the man behind this magnificent machine – Joe Sutter,” said Dirk Reich, president and chief executive of Cargolux Airlines.
The cargo on the new freighter’s delivery flight included 92 pieces of RFP piping for a chlorine plant in Saudi Arabia. It utilised the entire main deck of the aircraft. Shipping arrangements were handled by Panalpina.