Atlas Air has taken delivery of a Boeing 747-8 freighter which will operate on behalf of Cainiao 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.
The addition of this 747-8F expands service for Cainiao, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, between China, the US, Brazil and Chile.
The B747-8 is the only factory-built freighter with nose-loading capability in production, which will serve the long-term needs of the airfreight market.
“These four new 747-8s allow us to offer our customers significant growth opportunities to capitalize on strong demand and deliver value on what we consider among the best and most versatile widebody freighters in the market,” said Michael 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 continue supporting their growth and expansion.”
Dandy Zhang, Commercial Director of Cainiao’s Cross-border business said: “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.”
