Atlas Air takes delivery of first of four new Boeing 747-8 freighters

Atlas Air, a subsidiary of Nasdaq-listed Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, has taken delivery of a Boeing 747-8 freighter, which will operate on behalf of Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, as part of a previously announced long-term agreement.

"The aircraft will increase capacity on routes between China and the Americas. This aircraft is the first of four new 747-8 freighters that Atlas expects to receive from Boeing this year," according to an announcement by Atlas Air.

The addition of this 747-8F expands service for Cainiao between China, the United States, Brazil and Chile aboard the most capable, technologically advanced and environmentally-friendly widebody freighter, providing 20 percent higher payload capacity and 16 percent lower fuel consumption than 747-400F, the statement said

"These four new 747-8s allow us to offer our customers significant growth opportunities to capitalise on strong demand and deliver value on what we consider among the best and most versatile widebody freighters in the market," says Michael T. Steen, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. "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 continuing supporting their growth and expansion."

Dandy Zhang, Commercial Director of Cainiao's Cross-border business added: "As a global smart logistics company, Cainiao has been consistently enhancing our logistics services to satisfy the booming demand for e-Commerce in the Americas. We have been operating daily chartered flights linking China and the Americas since last year, in partnership with Atlas Air, and now we are excited to embrace the new 747-8 freighter as a token of commitment to serve our global customers with sustainable and efficient logistics."