Cargolux pioneers 747-8 services in South America and China

Cargolux has added four new destinations to its 747-8 freighter network and, in the process, flew the first-ever 747-8 services to Xiamen, China; Latacunga, Ecuador and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

The operations were planned well ahead and all concerned parties performed flawlessly in turning around the flight.

Xiamen saw its first 747-8 service on 1 February when the Cargolux aircraft arrived from Beijing. On 3 February, Cargolux performed the inaugural 747-8 service to South America with a flight to Latacunga. Previously, the southernmost destination of any 747-8 operator was Panama City. The return flight also touched down in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico - another first that Cargolux achieved. The approval by local authorities, that cleared Aguadilla airport for 747-8 operations, was the final hurdle that allows Cargolux to operate the 747-8 in South America for the first time. It was achieved with the cooperation of Cargolux, Boeing, the Aguadilla Airport Authority, the Puerto Rico Port Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration. Brazil remains one of the last countries in Cargolux's network that still has not approved its airports for 747-8 operations, a situation that remains a challenge for the Luxembourg carrier that is still limited to 747-400F services in the region.

70 Cargolux destinations are now cleared for 747-8F operations; Vietnam is expected to approve its airports in the near future. This will enable Cargolux to use its new freighter almost throughout its entire network.

Boeing's 747-8F is the most advanced freighter aircraft in its class and gives Cargolux an aircraft that sets new benchmarks in economic and environmental performance. The company currently operates six of the new freighters and expects additional deliveries throughout 2013.