Lufthansa (Frankfurt) will introduce the relatively new Boeing 747-800 on the Frankfurt-Mexico City route on September 2, 2013 according to Airline Route.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 747-830 D-ABYA (msn 37827) climbs away from the runway at Los Angeles International Airport.
Lufthansa:ย 
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (Atlas Air) (New York-JFK) today announced second-quarter 2013 diluted earnings per share in line with expectations presented at the companyโs investor-analyst day on May 30 and reaffirmed its full-year adjusted diluted earnings per share outlook of approximately $4.80.
For the three months ended June 30, 2013, adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders totaled $20.4 million, or $0.79 per diluted share, compared with $31.2 million, or $1.18 per diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2012.
On a reported basis, second-quarter 2013 net income attributable to common stockholders totaled $20.1 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, compared with $30.9 million, or $1.16 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2012.
Free cash flow increased to $64.6 million in the second quarter of 2013 from $54.2 million in the second quarter of 2012.
Second-Quarter Results
Revenue, volume and profitability growth in our core ACMI business during the second quarter were driven by our new 747-8Fs, with five additional -8F aircraft in service compared with the second quarter of 2012, as well as the continued ramp up of CMI flying for Boeing and DHL Express.
Improved ACMI segment earnings during the period benefited from higher rates per block hour and lower maintenance expense for our 747-8Fs, partially offset by the redeployment of 747-400 aircraft to other business segments.
In AMC Charter, a reduction in cargo and passenger block hours, lower average cargo and passenger revenue per block hour, and a reduction in the number of one-way AMC missions led to a decline in segment contribution. Lower average passenger revenue per block hour during the period stemmed from a higher proportion of passenger flying on smaller-gauge 767 aircraft, which we added to supplement our wide-body 747-400 passenger service and enhance our share of military passenger business.
Segment results in Commercial Charter primarily related to a reduction in yields driven by soft second-quarter global charter-market conditions.
Results in the second quarter were also affected by a reduction in capitalized interest on 747-8F aircraft that entered service.
Income Taxes
Adjusted and reported earnings for the second quarter of 2013 included an effective income tax rate of 32.3%, reflecting the ongoing beneficial impact of lower taxes for certain foreign subsidiaries in our Dry Leasing business.
Half-Year Results
For the six months ended June 30, 2013, adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders totaled $26.3 million, or $1.01 per diluted share, compared with $44.9 million, or $1.69 per diluted share, for the six months ended June 30, 2012.
On a reported basis, first-half 2013 net income attributable to common stockholders totaled $40.1 million, or $1.54 per diluted share, compared with $43.7 million, or $1.65 per diluted share, in the first half of 2012.
Free cash flow in the first six months of 2013 increased to $107.0 million from $55.2 million in the first half of 2012.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
At June 30, 2013, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments totaled $367.5 million, compared with $419.9 million at December 31, 2012.
The change in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments reflected cash provided by operating and financing activities offset by cash used for investing activities.
Net cash used for investing activities in the first six months of 2013 primarily related to the purchase of two 747-8F aircraft as well as a 777-200LRF aircraft for our Dry Leasing business.
Net cash provided by financing activities primarily reflected proceeds from the issuance of debt in connection with the acquisitions of these aircraft. These proceeds were partially offset by payments on debt obligations and net payments under accelerated share repurchase (โASRโ) programs.
Share Repurchases
In mid-May, we entered into an ASR with a financial institution for the repurchase of our common stock for an aggregate purchase price of a minimum of $35.0 million up to a maximum of $44.0 million. As of June 30, 2013, we received delivery of an initial 615,791 shares pursuant to the program. This ASR is expected to conclude no later than mid-October.
Through the first six months of 2013, we repurchased a total of 1,519,092 shares, or 5.7%, of our outstanding common stock.
Future repurchases may be made at our discretion, and the actual timing, form and amount will depend on company and market conditions.
Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 747-47UF N408MC (msn 29261) taxies past the camera at Amsterdam.
Atlas Air:ย
UPS Airlines‘ (UPS-United Parcel Service) (Atlanta and Louisville) Boeing 747-44AF N571UP (msn 35668) crashed shortly after takeoff from Dubai on September 3, 2010. The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has issued its final accident report.
Accident Synopsis:
On September 3rd 2010, a Boeing 747-44AF departed Dubai International Airport [DXB] on a scheduled international cargo flight [SCAT-IC] to Cologne [CGN], Germany.
Twenty two minutes into the flight, at approximately 32,000 feet, the crew advised Bahrain Area East Air Traffic Control [BAE-C ] that there was an indication of an on-board fire on the Forward Main Deck and
declared an emergency.
Bahrain Air Traffic Control advised that Doha International Airport [DOH] was ‘at your ten oโclock and one hundred miles, is that close enough?โ, the Captain elected to return to DXB, configured the aircraftย for the return to Dubai and obtained clearance for the turn back and descent.
A cargo on the main cargo deck had ignited at some point after departure. Less than three minutes after the first warning to the crew,the fire resulted in severe damage to flight control systems and caused the upper deck and cockpit to fill with continuous smoke.
The crew then advised Bahrain East Area Control [BAE-C] that the cockpit was โfull of smokeโ and that they โcould not see the radiosโ, at around the same time the crew experienced pitch control anomalies during the turn back and descent to ten thousand feet.
The smoke did not abate during the emergency impairing the ability of the crew to safely operate the aircraft for the duration of the flight back to DXB.
On the descent to ten thousand feet the captains supplemental oxygen supply abruptly ceased to function without any audible or visual warning to the crew five minutes and thirty seconds after the first audible warning. This resulted in the Captain leaving his position. The Captain left his seat and did not return to his position for the duration of the flight due to incapacitation from toxic gases.
The First Officer[F.O], now the Pilot Flying [PF] could not view outside of the cockpit, the primary flight displays, or the audio control panel to retune to the UAE frequencies.
Due to the consistent and contiguous smoke in the cockpit all communication between the destination [DXB] and the crew was routed through relay aircraft in VHF range of the emergency aircraft and BAE-C.ย BAE-C then relayed the information to the Emirates Area Control Center (EACC) in the UAE via landline, who then contacted Dubai ATC via landline.
As the aircraft approached the aerodrome in Dubai, it stepped down in altitude, the aircraft approached DXB runway 12 left (RWY 12L), then overflew the northern perimeter of the airport at 4500 ft at aroundย 340 kts . The PF could not view the Primary Flight Displays [PFD] or the view outside the cockpit.
The PF was advised Shajah International Airport [SHJ] was available at 10 nm. This required a left hand turn, the aircraft overflew DXB heading East, reduced speed, entering a shallow descending right-handย turn to the south of the airport before loss of control in flight and an uncontrolled descent into terrain,ย nine nautical miles south west of Dubai International Airport.
There were no survivors.
Read the full report including the causes: CLICK HERE
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. N571UP is pictured departing from Anchorage International Airport prior to the accident in Dubai.
Silk Way Airlines (Baku, Azerbaijan) and Boeing today announced an order for twoย Boeingย 747-8 Freighters valued at $704 million at current list prices.
Silk Way Airlines currently operates Boeing 747-400 Freighters (see above) and 767-300 Freighters. It is considered as one of the leading cargo airlines in Central Asia providing full-fledged services to Europe and the United Kingdom and the Middle East, as well as the Far East including Korea, China and Hong Kong. In addition, it also serves international destinations through a network of alliances.
Copyright Photo: OSDU/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 747-4R7F 4K-800 (msn 29729) prepares to land at Moscow (Shereyetyevo).
Silk Way Airlines:ย
China Airlines (Taipei) on June 7 introduced this new “Love and Hug” design on Boeing 747-409 B-18203 (msn 28711). The design displays some of the world’s endanger species. The artwork was created by Taiwanese artist Jimmy.
China Airlines has pledged 20 special logojets in the next five years!
In other news, China Airlines introduced nonstop twice-weekly Taipei-Honolulu Airbus A330 service on June 2.
Copyright Photo: Bernhard Ross/AirlinersGallery.com. B-18203 made its first visit to Frankfurt in the special design on June 17.
China Airlines:ย 
Boeing (Chicago) andย and Korean Air (Seoul) today announced that the airline has agreed to purchase five 747-8 Intercontinental airplanes and six 777-300 ER (Extended Range) jetliners, valued at approximately $3.6 billion at current list prices. Boeing will work with Korean Air to finalize the order, at which time the order will be posted to Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries website.
Korean Air is the only airline in the world to order both the passenger and freighter variations of the 747-8. When today’s order is finalized, Korea’s flag carrier will have 10 747-8 Intercontinental airplanes on order. The airline has taken delivery of three of its seven 747-8 Freighters on order.
Korean Air currently operates a fleet of 90ย Boeing passenger airplanesย that consist of 737, 747 and 777 airplanes. The airline also operates an all-Boeing cargo fleet of 27 747-400, 747-8 and 777 Freighters. In February 2012, Korean Air became the first airline in the world to operate both the 747-8 and 777 Freighters.
Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Korean Air is already an operator of the Boeing 747-800F freighter. Korean Air Cargo Boeing 747-8HTF HL7609 (msn 37132) climbs briskly in the Southern California sky after departing from Los Angeles International Airport.
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Bottom Copyright Photo: Royal S. King/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 777-3B5 ER HL7782 (msn 37643) lands at Paine Field near Everett.
Atlas Air (New York) on May 30 started operating its newest Boeing 747-800F for Etihad Cargo (formerly Etihad Crystal Cargo) (Etihad Airways) (Abu Dhabi). The fully-painted freighter will operate twice-weekly cargo services to and from Miami.
Etihad Airways announced its new round-the-world cargo flight:
The jointly operated routing began on May 30, connecting Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub with destinations in Asia, the United States, South America and Europe.
Miami (US), Viracopos (Brazil), and Quito (Ecuador) will become part the round-the-world Abu Dhabi-Hong Kong-Chicago O’Hare-Miami-Viracopos-Quito-Amsterdam-Abu Dhabi freighter service offered with an Etihad Cargo-liveried Boeing 747-8F Freighter.
Earlier this month, Etihad Cargo signed a signed a multi-year Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) agreement with Atlas Air to provide the Boeing 747-8F Freighter with its 138-ton cargo capacity to operate the new schedule.
The three new freighter destinations in the Americas will see Etihad Cargo’s network extend to 92 points across the globe. The carrier’s eight freighters operate to 28 of these destinations.
The Boeing 747-8F Freighter is the largest in Etihad Cargo’s current freighter fleet. The airline also operates three Boeing 777Fs, one Boeing 747-400ERF, one Boeing 747-400F and two Airbus A330-200Fs.
Etihad Cargo will take delivery of two additional freighters in 2013 and 2014, comprising two Airbus A330-200Fs.
Atlas Air previously made this announcement in May:
The 8th Boeing 747-800F freighter will fly on behalf of Etihad Cargo, the cargo arm of Etihad Airways, the national carrier of the United Arab Emirates, pursuant to a multi-year aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance agreement that commences in May 2013.
The new contract between the companies follows a letter of intent announced on April 1, 2013, and complements an existing Boeing 747-400F ACMI arrangement between Atlas and Etihad. The aircraft will be operated in full Etihad Cargo livery.
Copyright Photo: Michael Bolden. The pictured Boeing 747-87UF N855GT (msn 37567) was delivered to Atlas Air on May 18, 2013. The Jumbo Freighter prepares to depart from Miami on its twice-weekly round-the-world cargo route.
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Etihad Airways:ย
Cargolux Airlines International (Luxembourg) on June 3 launched a new service between Atlanta and Munich via Luxembourg. The new weekly cargo route with be operated with Boeing 747-400F freighters.
The airline issued this statement:
Cargolux Airlines International S.A. on June 4 announced the introduction of a regular service between Atlanta and Munich via Luxembourg. Starting on June 3, 2013, at the eve of the Air Cargo Munich Exhibition and Conference, the latest addition to Cargoluxโs expanding network of worldwide destinations will be served every Monday with a Boeing 747-400 Freighter.
The main import customer for the new Cargolux service is the German freight forwarder Senator International Spedition GmbH, a leading international freight forwarding company specialized in international freight, shipping, packaging and logistics. โCargolux is a trusted and reliable partner who supports us in delivering first class global logistics services to our own customers. The Cargolux network offers us a wide array of options to accommodate with this weekly operationโ, said Tim-Oliver Kirschbaum, CEO of Senator International based at the companyโs headquarters in Hamburg.
While Cargolux has previously flown a number of charter flights from the Bavarian capital, this is the airlineโs first regular airfreight service to and from Munich. Until now, the airline has relied on its trucking services to transport freight between its Luxembourg hub and Munich and earmarked for farther connections within its worldwide network.
Copyright Photo: Jens Polster/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 747-4R7F LX-SCV (msn 29733) arrives at Bangkok.
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Boeing (Chicago) yesterday (May 29) celebrated the 50th delivery of a 747-800. Lufthansa (Frankfurt), the launch customer of the passenger version, took delivery of the milestone aircraft almost one year after the first revenue flight of the 747-800 Intercontinental. It is the airline’s seventh 747-8 and its 82nd 747.
Boeing delivered the first 747-800 Intercontinental to Lufthansa in April 2012. The airplane entered service on June 1, 2012 with a flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Washington (Dulles), D.C. Cargolux Airlines took delivery of the first 747-800 Freighter in October 2011. To date, 35 Freighters and 15 Intercontinentals, including eight of the Boeing Business Jet version, have been delivered.
Top Copyright Photo: Boeing. Pictured at a soggy Paine Field, Boeing 747-830 D-ABYI (msn 37833) was handed over to the carrier on May 29.
Bottom Copyright Photo: Joe G. Walker/AirlinersGallery.com. Another view of D-ABYI arriving at Paine Field on May 18.
Lufthansa:ย
Lufthansa (Frankfurt) has issued this statement about new take-off procedures for its flights outside of Germany:
Lufthansa is set to change its take-off procedure for all departures outside Germany, thereby implementing worldwide standards. As of June 1, 2013, the altitudes for using the climb thrust and for further accelerating Lufthansa aircraft that are taking off will change from 1,500 feet (approx. 457 metres) to 1,000 feet (approx. 305 metres). This procedure is standard at most German and international airports and is already used by many airlines as it leads to lower fuel consumption and a reduction in CO2 emissions. At Frankfurt Airport, many airlines today are already benefiting from this take-off procedure.
Before it is introduced at German airports, the effects of the more level take-off will first be examined in a sound measurement test phase. Lufthansa expects the effects to be positive overall, as aircraft will be in a low-resistance, and therefore less noisy, configuration at an earlier stage. This assumption will be tested at Frankfurt Airport in a trial run from 1 July until 30 September 2013 by measuring selected flights, while all other flights will take off as before for the purpose of comparison. The sound measurements will be evaluated in co-ordination with the independent Airport and Region Forum (โForum Flughafen und Regionโ). A scientific study was previously commissioned at the German Aerospace Center, which predicted only minimal sound changes as a result of the new take-off procedure.
The objective of this step-by-step process is to transparently record and evaluate reliable measurement data for noise levels during the new procedure. Once the data has been analysed, it will be decided whether the 1000-foot acceleration will be introduced at German airports.
After an aircraft takes off from the runway, it usually ascends at a constant speed with the flaps extended until it reaches a certain altitude. Modern aircraft generally do not use the maximum thrust available at this point, but rather a reduced level of take-off thrust. When the aircraft reaches an initial target altitude, the enginesโ thrust switches to climb thrust. As the aircraft continues to take off, it has to accelerate so that the flaps can be retracted and it can climb to its cruising altitude at a higher speed. The altitude at which the speed increase begins is called the acceleration altitude.
By changing these two altitudes, the wind resistance decreases when the flaps are retracted, thus lowering fuel consumption. Lufthansa expects that changing the procedure in Frankfurt alone would save around 2,200 tons of fuel per year. This would mean around 7,000 tons fewer CO2 emissions. The benefit for the environment is much greater worldwide: approx. 6,000 tons less kerosene, or around 18,000 tons less CO2.
A reduction in the acceleration altitude from 1,500 to 1,000 feet is permitted under ICAO regulations and is already standard practice at many airlines. Any procedural changes to an airlineโs operations manual must be notified to the national supervisory authority. For German airlines, this is the German Federal Aviation Authority (LBA). The LBA and the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Development have already granted Lufthansa permission to change the procedure.
Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com.ย Boeing 747-830 D-ABYF (msn 37830) climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.
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Video: Lufthansa commercial: “These Germans”:
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