ANA (All Nippon Airways) (Tokyo) is planning to operate its last revenue flight (NH 126) with the Boeing 747-400 on March 31 between Naha, Okinawa and Tokyo (Haneda) according to ZipanguFlyer. The last revenue flight is scheduled to be operated with 747-481 (D) JA8961 (msn 25644). The last ANA Boeing 747-400s are the high-density domestic version of the Boeing 747-400 that seat 565 passengers and were developed specifically for the Japanese market.
Read the full report with all of the details from ZipanguFlyer: CLICK HERE
ANA introduced the Boeing 747 (the special short range 747SR-81) with JA8134 (msn 21605) with the hand over from Boeing on December 20, 1978. The first Boeing 747-281B (JA8175, msn 23502) came later on July 2, 1986. Trans-Pacific service was then launched to Los Angeles with the new type on July 16, 1986. Finally the first Boeing 747-481 (JA8094, msn 24801) joined the ANA fleet on August 28, 1990.
The Boeing 747 has faithfully served ANA for over 35 years. It will seem strange not to see a Boeing 747 with the company.
Copyright Photo: Marco Finelli/AirlinersGallery.com. Looking back in the past, Boeing 747-281B JA8181 (msn 23698) is seen at Rome (Fiumicino).
QANTAS Airways (Sydney) as previously reported, will close its Avalon, Victoria heavy maintenance base in March. Two Boeing 747-400s scheduled for overhauls in May will be sent to HAECO (Hong Kong) for the work according to the Australian. An international tender offer will determine future work. 300 workers are losing their jobs at Avalon.
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Atlas Air) (New York) has announcedย it intends to pursue new ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) placement opportunities for three 747-8 Freighter aircraft currently operated for British Airways plc by Atlas Air Worldwideโs 49%-owned UK subsidiary, Global Supply Systems Limited (GSS).
The action follows notice from British Airways, a unit of International Consolidated Airlines Group, S.A., regarding British Airwaysโ strategic decision to exit dedicated cargo-freighter service and to return the aircraft to GSS in April 2014 pursuant to the terms of the existing ACMI agreement between the parties.
Effective with the termination of the agreement, the three 747-8Fs will be redelivered to the company by GSS. Through GSS, the company also will receive contractual early termination fees from British Airways.
Meanwhile Qatar Airways (Doha) will operate five Boeing 777F freighter flights between Hong Kong and London for IAG Cargo (British Airways) starting on May 1. IAG Cargo issued this statement:
IAG Cargo has announced it has signed a long-term commercial agreement with Qatar Airways to purchase capacity on Qatar Airways-operated air cargo freighters, effective from May 1, 2014.
Qatar Airways will operate five Boeing 777F flights a week between Hong Kong and London on behalf of IAG Cargo, providing continuity of service for IAG Cargo customers.
The agreement marks a transition for IAG Cargo and follows the company’s decision to transfer freighter operations from its current provider, Global Supply Systems.
IAG Cargo connects 350 destinations worldwide, serving the world’s economic hubs with cargo-friendly wide-bodied planes. Through its Constant Climate network, it has one of the largest networks globally for handling temperature-sensitive air cargo.
Qatar Airways is already a partner with IAG through the oneworld global alliance which it joined in October 2013. The airline is taking delivery of a further three Boeing 777F aircraft during 2014.
Top Copyright Photo: Rainer Bexten/AirlinersGallery.com. This decision will end British Airways World Cargo and Global Supply Systems. GSS operatedย Boeing 747-87UF G-GSSD (msn 37562) in British Airways World Cargo colors departs graceful from Cologne/Bonn.
British Airways World Cargo (GSS):ย
Qatar Airways:ย
Video: Flying the Boeing 747-800F freighter:
Bottom Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-FDZ A7-BFA (msn 36098) of Qatar Airways Cargo taxies at Amsterdam.
IranAir (Tehran) has retired the last operating passenger Boeing 747-100 in the world. Boeing 747-186B EP-IAM (msn 21759) was ferried yesterday (January 8) from Mehrabad Airport (THR) in downtown Tehran (used for domestic flights) to nearby Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) southwest of Tehran (used for international flights) for storage in the cargo area. The flight lasted only 10 minutes on three operating engines and was flown by Captain Moghadam. EP-IAM is now grounded forever at IKA after almost 35 years of service
EP-IAM was delivered new from Boeing on August 2, 1979 and was flown its entire service life with the flag carrier of Iran. This is a testimony to Boeing for the durability of the airframe.
Thanks to Shahram (Shary) Sharifi for his eyewitness report from Iran.
In other news, IranAir restarted twice-weekly service from Mashbad to Bahrain on December 21, 2013.
Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-186B EP-IAM taxies across the ramp at London’s Heathrow Airport.
IranAir:ย
Video: Window view of the takeoff from IKA on April 9, 2012.
Boeing (Chicago) set a company record in 2013 for the most commercial airplanes delivered in a single year with 648. The company’s unfilled commercial orders stood at 5,080 at the end of the year โ also a new Boeing record.
Boeing also booked 1,531 gross commercial orders in 2013, a new company record and 1,355 net commercial orders in 2013, the second-largest number in company history.
In 2013, three programs set records for deliveries in single year:
The 737 program delivered 440 Next-Generation 737s
The 777 program delivered 98 airplanes
The 787 program delivered 65 Dreamliners, now flying with 16 customers around the world
With the higher production rates achieved in 2013, all three Boeing Commercial Airplanes production sites inย Everettย andย Renton, Washington andย North Charleston, South Carolina also delivered a record number of airplanes.
Boeing’s leadership position in the twin-aisle market continued in 2013 with the launch of two new airplane programs. The 777X launched in November at the Dubai Air Show with 259 orders and commitments worth more thanย $95 billionย at list prices. Boeing also launched the 787-10 Dreamliner, the most fuel-efficient jetliner in history, at the Paris Air Show in June.
Orders, deliveries and unfilled orders as ofย December 31, 2013, by program were as follows:
Family
Gross Orders
Net Orders
Deliveries
Unfilled Orders
737
1,208
1,046
440
3,680
747
17
12
24
55
767
2
2
21
49
777
121
113
98
380
787
183
182
65
916
Total
1,531
1,355
648
5,080
Boeing Commercial Airplanes highlights in 2013 included:
Boeing Delivers 7,500th 737
Boeing, Southwest Airlines Announce Launch of 737 MAX 7
Boeing Opens New Everett Delivery Center
Boeing Delivers 1,000th Airplane to China
Boeing Launches 787-10 Dreamliner
Boeing Begins Assembly of 1st KC-46A Tanker Aircraft
Boeing Flies First 787-9 Dreamliner
Boeing Completes 737 MAX 8 Firm Configuration
Boeing to Increase 737 Production Rate in 2017
Boeing, GOL Airlines Announce Collaboration to Increase Sustainable Aviation Biofuel Supply in Brazil
Boeing 787 Dreamliner Reaches 1,000th Order with Etihad Airways
Boeing Launches 777X with Record-Breaking Orders and Commitments
Boeing Delivers First 747-8 with Performance-Improved Engines
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 747-8R7F N747EX (msn 35808) lands at Paine Field near Renton.
Evergreen International Airlines (McMinnville, Oregon and Marana, Arizona) despite denials of rumors by senior management, in the waning hours of December 31, 2013, filed for voluntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection in a federal court in the state of Delaware. The company will be liquidated.
According to this report by Bloomberg, some of Evergreen’s creditors filed papers on December 17 in a Brooklyn, New York court to force the airline to pay its bills. This filing forced the bankruptcy filing.
The airlineย was established byย Delford M. Smithย and commenced operations in 1960 asย Evergreen Helicopters. It acquired the operating certificate of Johnson Flying Service (later Johnson Air) (Missoula) and merged it withย Intermountain Aviationย to establish the current Evergreen International Airlines on November 28, 1978.
Previously the airline issued this statement on November 8, 2013:
McMinnville, Oregon — November 8, 2013
As has been previously reported in the press, Evergreen’s business has been adversely impacted over the past several years by decreased demand in military spending and weakness in global economic markets. Management has moved to aggressively address these challenges, including through the divestiture of businesses and assets and the significant reduction of secured debt. Evergreen is in discussions with its significant constituencies and is exploring available strategic alternatives with those constituencies. While Evergreen generally does not comment on market rumor or conjecture, rumors that a decision has been made to cease operations at this time are false. Evergreen remains committed to continuing to address the current business environment with its customers.
Delford M. Smith
Chief Executive Officer,
Evergreen International Aviation, Inc.
Top Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. Evergreen International was the famous operator of the Boeing 747 “Supertanker”. Formerly operated by Delta Air Lines,ย Boeing 747-132 (SF) N479EV (msn 19898) taxies at Hahn, Germany as the “979 Supertanker”.
Evergreen International Airlines:ย
Johnson Air:ย
Bottom Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Before it was Evergreen International, the company was Johnson Air (Johnson Flying Service). Ex-Western Airlines Lockheed 188A Electra N7137C (msn 1074) rests at the earlier “Big Sky” Missoula, Montana base.
Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong) and Boeing (Chicago) announced the airline has ordered an additional 747-8 Freighter and three 777-300 ER (Extended Range) airplanes. The order, valued atย about $1 billion at current list prices, will bolster Cathay Pacific’s 747-8 Freighter fleet and 777-300ER fleet to 14 and 53, respectively.
Hong Kong’s flag carrier is in the midst of renewing its freighter fleet with newer, more efficient airplanes, while also looking to strengthen its position as a market leader in the air cargo business.
The 747-8 Freighter gives cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any large freighter airplane while providing enhanced environmental performance. At 250 feet, 2 inches (76.3 m) long — 18 feet, 4 inches (5.6 m) longer than the 747-400 Freighter — the 747-8 Freighter gives customers 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared to its predecessor with nearly equivalent trip costs and lower ton-mile costs.
The Boeing 777 is the world’s most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER is equipped with the world’s most powerful GE90-115B commercial jet engine, and can seat up to 386 passengers in a three-class configuration with a maximum range of 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km).
Hong Kong’s flag carrier operates 55 777s, including 38 777-300 ERs and an all-Boeing freighter fleet that includes 13 747-8 Freighters. With this order, Cathay Pacific will have 21 777-9X airplanes, 15 777-300 ERs and one 747-8 Freighter on order with Boeing.
Top Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. Brand new Boeing 747-867F B-LJI (msn 39247) lifts off the runway at Paine Field near Everett, Washington.
Cathay Pacific:ย
Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The Stretch Triple Seven is becoming the mainstay of the Cathay Pacific long-range passenger aircraft fleet as the Boeing 747-400 replacement. Sleek Boeing 777-367 B-KPN (msn 36165) steadily climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Boeing (Chicago) yesterday (December 18)ย delivered the first 747-8 (747-867F B-LJK, msn 43394) to Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong) with performance-improved GEnx-2B engines as part of the airplane’s Performance Improvement Package (PIP.) B-LJK was the first 747 to deliver with the PIP engines.
The engine is the first of the package’s three improvements to enter service. The two other components, Flight Management Computer (FMC) software upgrades and reactivation of the horizontal tank fuel system on the 747-8 Intercontinental, are expected to enter service later this month and in early 2014, respectively.
The PIP engine improves the airplane’s efficiency by 1.8 percent. “With this improvement, 747-8 customers will use roughly 30 less semi-sized trucks of fuel per airplane per year,” said Bruce Dickinson, 747-8 chief project engineer and vice president.
All three PIP components can be retrofitted on the 747-8. The tail fuel reactivation is applicable only for the 747-8 Intercontinental and the FMC upgrades can also be made to 747-400s.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Sister ship Boeing 747-867F B-LJJ (msn 39246) climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (New York) has announced that its Atlas Air, Inc. (New York-JFK) unit has entered into a contract with BST Logistics (Hong Kong) Company Limited (BST Logistics), a business partner of Navitrans International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd., to provide Boeing 747-8 freighter service.
The contract is for one aircraft under an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) agreement, with service expected to begin in February 2014 and operating in key global routes connecting the U.S., Europe and Asia.
BST Logistics provides dedicated airfreight services on a global basis and serves some of the largest shippers in the world.
Copyright Photo: Nick Dean/AirlinersGallery.com. Atlas Air’s Boeing 747-87UF N854GT (msn 37566) departs from Paine Field near Everett.
Cargolux Airlines International S.A. (Luxembourg) has announced the launch of a weekly service to Bamako, the capital of Mali, from December 5, 2013. The flights are operated with the airlineโs Boeing 747 freighters which offer main deck capacity for the transport of airfreight supplies that support the local industries in the areas of natural resources, telecommunications, healthcare and pharmaceutical products, perishables and general appliances.
In 2010, Bamako Airport inaugurated a new cargo terminal with a yearly capacity of 10,000 tons and extended the runway to 3,180 meters, enabling the operation of large aircraft, such as Cargoluxโs 747 freighters.
Flight CV 7124 is operated every Thursday on the routing Luxembourg โ Bamako โ Lagos โ Libreville โ Nairobi โ Manston โ Luxembourg. Departure in Luxembourg is scheduled for 16.30 GMT with arrival in Bamako at 21:40 GMT. With this service, Cargolux connects another African destination to its worldwide network and offers shippers fast and reliable airfreight solutions to a market with growing importance.
Cargoluxโs African network now covers 13 destinations that show promising export potential with strong shipments for the oil and gas industry. Cargolux also offers direct services between the United States and Africa.
Previously the cargo carrier started weekly service to Buenos Aires via Campinas (Viracopas) near Sao Paulo on November 13.
Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 747-4R7F LX-VCV (msn 34235) approaches Johannesburg for landing.
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