FLEET - Cargolux (Luxembourg) CEO Richard Forson says the decision to purchase four B747-400F from China Airlines (Taiwan) was due to delays in the B777-8F program. The first is expected in 2029.

Photo: Duncan Stewart
 

FLEET - Cargolux to acquire four ex-China Airlines B747Fs

Cargolux (CV, Luxembourg) will acquire four B747-400FSCD freighters from China Airlines (CI, Taipei Taoyuan), doubling the previously disclosed purchase of two freighters. 

The negotiated transaction is valued at about USD85 million, with the sales agreement becoming effective on June 23, 2026, after Cargolux's board approved the deal. 

China Airlines said it expects to record a gain of about USD39 million from the sale. 

Cargolux is acquiring the used freighters as deliveries of its B777-8Fs have slipped to 2028-2029, extending the carrier's reliance on the B747 fleet.

CH Aviation / Photo: Duncan Stewart

CARGOLUX / B747-8F / LX-VCH

Ton Jochems - AMS
 

RETRO LIVERY - Cargolux / B747-400F / LX-NCV

Ton Jochems
 

Boeing and Cargolux Finalize 777-8 Freighter Order

 

Cargolux selects the 777-8 Freighter to replace its 747-400 Freighter fleet. 

The 777-8 Freighter offers the lowest CO2 emissions per tonne for any large freighter for a sustainable future.

LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 12, 2022 – Boeing [NYSE:BA] and Cargolux have finalized an order of 10 777-8 Freighters with options for six additional airplanes, with a signing ceremony today at Cargolux’s headquarters in Luxembourg. The selection of Boeing’s newest freighter was previously announced at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow as Cargolux’s preferred choice as the replacement for its 747-400 Freighter fleet.

The order was previously listed as unidentified on Boeing’s orders & deliveries website.

Cargolux’s choice of the 777-8 Freighter underlines its commitment to establishing long-term sustainability. Europe’s number one all-cargo airline has a long-standing engagement towards sound operations and the 777-8 Freighter offers reduced emissions, noise, as well as the lowest fuel use and operating costs per tonne of any large freighter.

“The agreement we signed today will consolidate Cargolux’s position as a global leader of air freight services. Replacing our aging fleet of 747-400 Freighters with the latest technology and fuel-efficient 777-8 Freighter model will contribute to our long-term sustainability program while continuing to offer our customers the tailored service they expect,” said Richard Forson, Cargolux president & CEO.

Boeing launched the new 777-8 Freighter in January 2022 and has now booked more than 50 orders for the model. The 777-8 Freighter has nearly identical payload and range capabilities as the 747-400 Freighter while providing 30% better fuel efficiency and emissions and 25% better operating costs per tonne. It is the ideal choice as operators replace aging freighters later this decade.

“With its purchase of our newest freighter, Cargolux has invested in a sustainable future as the 777-8 Freighter will significantly reduce CO2 emissions compared to the airplanes it is replacing,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Equally important, the 777-8 Freighter operates with a noise footprint up to 60% smaller than its predecessors, significantly minimizing noise emissions around airport communities.”

Cargolux, based in Luxembourg, is Europe’s largest all-cargo airline operating a combined fleet of 30 Boeing 747-8 and 747-400 Freighters. The Cargolux worldwide network covers over 75 destinations on scheduled all-cargo flights and offers full and part-charter services. The company has more than 85 offices in over 50 countries and operates an extensive global trucking network to more than 250 destinations. With 50 years of experience in the air cargo industry and an extensive product portfolio, Cargolux provides tailored transport solutions for all types of shipments. As a responsible cargo carrier, Cargolux has developed a solid CSR program encompassing Environmental, Social, and Governance principles. The Cargolux Group employs close to 2,500 staff members worldwide. Learn more at www.cargolux.com

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com. 

CARGOLUX  

One of our 747-8 freighters, LX-VCF has received its very own mask on its iconic nose-door, reflecting the airline’s commitment to the fight against COVID-19

Cargolux

Cargolux - B747-400F - LX-OCV

Oaktree

Cargolux - B747-4F - LX-OCV - 19/07/2020

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CARGOLUX - B747-400F - LX-ECV

Ton Jochems - AMS

Cargolux Airlines - B747-8R7(F) - LX-VCH "City of Dudelange" Titles PANALPINA

hsckcwong  - LAX

CARGOLUX - B747-8F - LX-WCV

Alain Charpentier - TLS

Cargolux Adds Rio de Janeiro Service from March 2016

Cargolux earlier this month has launched new service to Rio de Janeiro, where the airline operates Luxembourg – Rio de Janeiro – Sao Paulo Viracopos/Campinas – Luxembourg routing, once a week. Boeing 747-400 Freighter operated the first flight on 04MAR16.

CV7645 LUX1300 – 2030GIG2154 – 2310VCP0010+1 – 1630+1LUX 74Y 5

Routes Online

Photo:Ton jochems-AMS

CARGOLUX - B747-800F - LX-VCM

The 13th Boeing 747-8 Freighter Cargolux

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CARGOLUX - B747-8F - LX-VCL

Duncan Stewart - LAX

Boeing, Cargolux Airlines Celebrate 30th Direct Delivery of a 747 Freighter

747-8 Freighter features special decal of Joe Sutter, the “Father of the 747”

EVERETT, Wash, Mar. 6, 2015 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Cargolux Airlines are celebrating the 30th direct delivery of a 747 Freighter to the Luxembourg-based cargo carrier. To mark the occasion, Cargolux’s latest 747-8 Freighter carries a special decal of the “Father of the Boeing 747,” Joe Sutter, the Boeing engineer who led the team that designed the airplane.

“We have built our business around the iconic 747 and therefore we wanted to celebrate our 30th direct delivery from Boeing by honoring the man behind this magnificent machine -- Joe Sutter,” said Dirk Reich, President and CEO of Cargolux Airlines. “The 747-8 Freighter has been a tremendous addition to our fleet, providing us with increased capacity and improved economics that has enabled us to expand our operations across the globe.”

This latest delivery was the 12th 747-8 Freighter to join Cargolux’s fleet, with the Luxembourg carrier becoming the world’s first operator of the airplane type in October 2011. Prior to the introduction of the 747-8 Freighter, Cargolux took delivery of the first of two 747-200 Freighters in 1979 and in 1993 also became the world’s first operator of the 747-400 Freighter, taking a total of 16 747-400 Freighters.

In January 2015, Cargolux began operations to Manaus Airport in Brazil with a 747-8 Freighter carrying a full load of machinery spare parts and telecommunications equipment. In the process, Manaus Airport became the 100th commercial airport that Cargolux serves with the 747-8 Freighter, underlining the airplane’s incredible versatility in the world cargo market.

“The 30th 747 delivery to Cargolux is an important milestone in our shared history with this all-Boeing operator that spans some four decades,” said Todd Nelp, vice president of European Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “I can’t think of a better way to mark this special occasion than with this tribute to Joe Sutter and in recognizing that today the 747-8 Freighter provides Cargolux with unrivalled operating costs and economics compared to any large freighter airplane on the market.”

The 747-8 Freighter is optimized to provide greater revenue cargo-carrying capability than the 747-400, offering 16 percent more cargo volume while keeping its iconic nose door.

Cargolux currently has two unfilled orders for 747-8 Freighters, with the all-Boeing carrier operating a fleet composed entirely of 747-400 Freighters and 747-8 Freighters.

Cargolux Debuts 747-8 Freighter in Manaus

The airline debuted the aircraft on its ‘CV7606’ scheduled flight from January 25, 2015, taking use of the aircraft’s greater volume to transport a load of machinery spare parts and telecommunications equipment from Luxembourg to South America.



European freight carrier Cargolux has started to deploy its Boeing 747-8F freighter on its regular cargo flights to the Brazilian city of Manaus this month becoming the first airline in the world to operate the stretched 747 variant to the Brazilian airport.

The airline debuted the aircraft on its ‘CV7606’ scheduled flight from January 25, 2015, taking use of the aircraft’s greater volume to transport a load of machinery spare parts and telecommunications equipment from Luxembourg to South America.

Cargolux first introduced flights to Manaus in May 2012 as a weekly stop on a flight routing Luxembourg – Sao Paulo – Manaus – Quito – Bogota – Maastricht – Luxembourg. This itinerary has until this week been operated using a Boeing 747-400, due to problems getting the new -8 variant approved for operation into some of its airports across South America.

The airline debuted the 747-8F in Brazil in June 2013 when it introduced the aircraft on its freight schedules to Viracopos after working with the Brazilian and Luxembourg governments for clearance to deploy the aircraft in the country.

“Our new 747-8 freighter service will bring superior performance and efficiency to our customers in Manaus,” said Dirk Reich, president and chief executive officer, Cargolux. “We are happy to say that, with Manaus coming online in our 747-8F network, we can even better boost airfreight exports from Brazil and can bring commodities like automotive parts, perishables and pharmaceutical products to their markets in a more fuel efficient and sustainable way.”

The debut of the 747-8F at Manaus underlines the versatility of the aircraft, which is now serving 164 airports worldwide,’ according to Donna Hrinak, president, Boeing Brazil and Boeing Latin America.

“The 747-8 Freighter provides our customers with the lowest operating costs and best economics in its class while providing enhanced environmental performance, enabling operators like Cargolux to grow its business at destinations like Manaus,” she added.

Among the 164 airports served by the 747-8F, 100 are served commercially by Cargolux with the type. The carrier now has eleven aircraft in its fleet and a further three units remain on order for delivery over the coming two years.

CARGOLUX - B747-400F - LX-ACV

Duncan Stewart - LAX

CARGOLUX - B747-400 - LX-OCV

Pmb/FPP - Lisboa

CARGOLUX - B747-800F - LX-VCB

Alain Charpentier - TLS

CARGOLUX - B747-800F - LX-VCA

Ton Jochmes - AMS