$3.4bn order for Boeing

Boeing and Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings yesterday announced the carrier has ordered 12 747-8 Freighters, making Atlas the North American launch customer for the airplane.

At list prices, the order is valued at about $3.4bn. Atlas will begin taking delivery of the airplanes in 2010 and expects all 12 aircraft to be in service by the end of 2011.

‘Worldwide air cargo traffic is projected to grow by over six percent annually for the next two decades, tripling over current traffic levels for our ACMI, charter and scheduled service customers,’ said William J. Flynn, president and CEO of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings ‘With its increased capacity, greater range at equivalent payloads, and lower operating costs, the 747-8F gives our customers an aircraft to meet this growth in global air cargo demand.’

Atlas operates the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747 Freighters, with 20 747-400 and 15 747-200 Freighters in service with operators throughout the world. the company provides cargo services in Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) leasing, global scheduled service, commercial charter services and US military charter services.