British Airways World Cargo upgrades to Boeing 747-8f in new deal With Global Supply Systems (02/08/2010)

British Airways World Cargo today announced that it has signed a five-year wet lease agreement with Global Supply Systems Limited (GSS), which will see its three Boeing 747-400 freighters replaced with new Boeing 747-8 freighters in early 2011. Further to its agreement with British Airways World Cargo, GSS will dry lease the freighters from Atlas Air.

The contract represents a significant investment by British Airways World Cargo. The three new Boeing 747-8f aircraft will be registered in the United Kingdom and operate to our existing schedule maintaining regular services through STN, HKG, FRA, PVG, ORD, DEL, amongst others. It has also been agreed that the new 747-8fs will be delivered in British Airways livery and incorporate the British Airways World Cargo logo.

Steve Gunning, managing director of British Airways World Cargo says: "Our investment in the new Boeing 747-8f reinforces our commitment to the air cargo industry and demonstrates the importance British Airways places on cargo. The increased range and the environmental benefits that the 747-8f provides will significantly benefit our customers. Long-haul freighters form an integral part of our overall business strategy - providing flexibility and capacity on resilient and growing lanes - as we strive for continued excellence in all key areas of the business, including product range, customer service and, of course, network offering. I am also pleased to be continuing our relationship with our long-term freighter partners, GSS and Atlas Air."

The Boeing 747-8 freighter provides an enhanced environmental performance owing to its new benchmark in fuel efficiency and noise reduction. The 747-8f has an increased range of 4,475 nautical miles (8,275 km), as well as 16% more cargo volume than the 747-400f. This means it is able to hold seven additional pallets, while maintaining the same nose and door loading capabilities for industry-standard 10-foot high pallets.

"BA World Cargo is a vital link in the global logistics chain, and it will be one of the first air carriers in the world to benefit from the 747-8 freighter's leading-edge technology," says William J. Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. "Through GSS, our new aircraft will give BA World Cargo increased capacity and revenue-generating capability in a growing airfreight market."