Atlas Air, Inc., has announced the delivery of the final 747 ever to be produced by Boeing. The delivery of this aircraft is the last of four new Boeing 747-8 Freighters Atlas ordered in January 2021. Atlas Air will operate this aircraft for Apex Logistics, a Kuehne+Nagel company, under a long-term agreement.
?Our company?s history and success are directly linked to the 747 platform, and we are honored to continue our long history of flying this iconic aircraft for our customers around the world,? said John Dietrich, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. ?Atlas Air was founded over 30 years ago with a single 747-200 converted freighter. Since then, we have spanned the globe operating the 747 into well over 800 airports in over 170 countries with nearly every series of the aircraft, including Boeing?s 747 Large Cargo Freighter for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts.?
Mr. Dietrich added: ?We?ve carried everything on the 747 from race cars to racehorses, from rocket parts to satellites, electronics, overnight express shipments ? and various forms of perishables like fresh flowers, vegetables and fish. The 747 has also been critical to carrying life-saving goods like medicine, vaccines and personal protective equipment during the pandemic and other times of need. And we are proud to serve the U.S. military as the largest provider of their airlift ? carrying both troops and cargo ? and the 747 is the backbone of this critical work.
?We are pleased to operate this aircraft on behalf of Apex Logistics, a Kuehne+Nagel company.ÿ This is the second 747-8F delivery as part of our long-term strategic partnership with Kuehne+Nagel, which is reflective of our deep commitment to provide additional capacity for the expansion of their air cargo network.?
Mr. Dietrich concluded: ?As the world?s largest operator of 747 freighters, Atlas is especially proud to take the last 747 ever to be built. We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 program as we operate the aircraft for decades to come.?
?This monumental day is a
testament to the generations of Boeing employees who brought to life the
airplane that ?shrank the world,? and revolutionized travel and air cargo as
the first widebody,? said Stan Deal, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Boeing Commercial Airplanes. ?It is fitting to deliver this final 747-8
Freighter to the largest operator of the 747, Atlas Air, where the ?Queen? will
continue to inspire and empower innovation in air cargo.?