Aviation

Why is Emirates adding the Boeing 747 to its cargo fleet?

In the aviation sector, Emirates Airlines is renowned for having the fastest and broadest network. It also sets the highest standard for fleet operations with its large Airbus A380 aircraft. Whatever innovations Emirates makes for the airlines that enjoy great success, the company has just added two Boeing 747 aircraft to its fleet, revitalizing the cargo industry.

The demand for the supply chain is growing as a result of the air cargo industry’s quick expansion since the Boeing 747 freight can easily meet this demand.

Emirates is set to bring back its last Boeing 747-400F freighters into its fleet, over 5.5 years after they were phased out. In an unstable environment, the airline is “showing its strong confidence in the global cargo market” by securing long-term wet leases on two -400Fs to increase the freighter capacity. To increase capacity, Emirates SkyCargo wet leases two 747-400F aircraft.

Emirates SkyCargo has increased its fleet of freighters by two Boeing 747-400Fs, demonstrating its firm belief in the world cargo market in the face of recent volatility.

Emirates, the largest international airline in the world, expects to add 15 more freighters to its fleet through announced orders and its freighter conversion programme. Additionally, new passenger aircraft deliveries, beginning with Airbus A350s in late summer 2024 and followed by 777-Xs the following year, will increase belly-hold capacity.

With a fleet of over 300 wide-body aircraft, including 777s, 777-Fs, 747-Fs, A350s, and A380s, Emirates SkyCargo intends to quadruple its current capacity over the next ten years, add over 20 new destinations to its cargo network, and provide even more flexibility and services to its clients.

While we wait for the delivery of 5 new 777Fs in 2024 and 2025 and 10 777-300ERs to roll out of our conversion programme over the following 5 years, the 2 new 747-Fs that we have leased will provide us immediate capacity. Even these extra planes, in our opinion, won’t be enough. By that time, the MRO will be ready to grow our freighter conversion programme swiftly and effectively if necessary.

The two Boeing 747-Fs, which were obtained on a long-term wet-lease arrangement and are now being deployed to Chicago three times a week and Hong Kong nine times a week, are a complement to Emirates SkyCargo’s current fleet of 11 Boeing 777 freighters.

Related Topics:airbus Airlines Boeing Emirates

Aviation

COMAC Unveils Plans for the C929 to Rival Airbus and Boeing

After the success of China’s first C919 aircraft, the country is setting its sights on developing a larger plane. COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China) has officially confirmed plans to build a widebody aircraft, marking a significant step in its aircraft lineup.

Traditionally, Airbus and Boeing dominate the widebody aircraft market, with decades of expertise in developing planes and engines capable of carrying heavy payloads. China, which currently relies on imported engines, is now aiming to challenge these giants with its own widebody jet, the C929, designed to compete with the Airbus A350 and Boeing 777.

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The C929 will be China’s first independently developed long-range widebody aircraft. It adheres to international airworthiness standards and boasts independent intellectual property rights. The baseline version is designed to seat 280 passengers and offers a range of 12,000 kilometers, catering to global demand for both regional and international air travel.

Russia, which also needs reliable narrowbody and widebody aircraft, could become a key customer for the C929. Additionally, China plans to target the broader Asian market as it continues to expand its aviation capabilities.

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China’s aviation progress includes the ARJ21 (now called C909), a regional jet with 100 seats for shorter routes, and the C919, a narrowbody jet with 180 seats designed to rival the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A320. Both models have found increasing demand in the domestic market.

At China’s largest air show in Zhuhai, COMAC announced that Air China will be the launch customer for the C929 widebody jet, though details about order size and delivery timelines were not disclosed.

Other major deals announced by COMAC include:

Hainan Airlines: Firm orders for 60 C919 and 40 C909 regional jets.
Colorful Guizhou Airlines: 30 C909 jets, with 20 firm orders and 10 provisional agreements.

The C929, renamed from the CR929 after Russia withdrew from the joint development project in 2023, is expected to carry 280–400 passengers with a range of 12,000 kilometers, competing directly with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.

According to COMAC’s deputy general manager, Tong Yu, the first fuselage section of the C929 is expected by September 2027, with prototype test flights anticipated soon after.