Defence

Nippon Cargo orders four more 747-400Fs

Flight International online news 09:00GMT:Japan’s Nippon Cargo Airlines (NCA) has ordered four more new-build Boeing 747-400 freighters.


                                                                                             Source: Boeing

NCA already had an order for four new 747-400Fs, one of which it took delivery of in June and another in late August.
The new commitments lift to eight the number of new 747-400Fs it will acquire, although the company said it expects to place yet another order sometime in the future as it phases out its 747-100/200Fs.

The third 747-400F is due for delivery in August next year while the additional five aircraft will be delivered through 2008. They will all be powered by General Electric CF6 engines.

NCA's general manager for  international affairs Yuji IwakirIwakiri says the carrier is adding 747-400Fs because the newer type is more fuel efficient than its ‘Classic’ 747s. The carrier also wants to expand its operations.

“In the short term, we want to expand operations to in Asia, such as China and possibly Indonesia,” says Iwakiri.

He says NCA’s only existing destination in China is Shanghai but it is considering launching services to Guangzhou and to some other major cities in the country.

LEITHEN FRANCIS/SINGAPORE