Cathay Pacific announced today an order for one 747-8F which will bring their total fleet to 14. I was hoping for more, but one is better than none. Cathay's VLA passenger plans are clearly 100% focused on the 777 unfortunately for the 747-8. In other Cathay updates, they took delivery of line 1486 (RC563) B-LJM on the 23rd.
Also delivered was AirBridgeCargo's final frame, line 1483 (RC605) VQ-BRJ. This, along with the paper delivery of line 1479 (RC525) JA15KZ for Nippon Cargo Airlines, marks the end of the desert storage saga, at east for now. All 747-8s that were parked in the desert over the last year or so have now been delivered.
It's looking like 23 deliveries for 2013, unless line 1488 (RC549) HL7624 for Korean can squeeze out the door before the end of the year. That's down from 31 last year, but still a healthy number.
Also delivered was AirBridgeCargo's final frame, line 1483 (RC605) VQ-BRJ. This, along with the paper delivery of line 1479 (RC525) JA15KZ for Nippon Cargo Airlines, marks the end of the desert storage saga, at east for now. All 747-8s that were parked in the desert over the last year or so have now been delivered.
It's looking like 23 deliveries for 2013, unless line 1488 (RC549) HL7624 for Korean can squeeze out the door before the end of the year. That's down from 31 last year, but still a healthy number.
I am very disappointed with CX.
ReplyDeleteI was expecting them to take Intercontinentals, but looks like they are content with being a 2nd rate International Airline. They don't have a flagship as far as I'm concerned, and as far as 1st class goes, they will only be able to provide those products that can be catered to the 777-300/ 777-300ER.
At least with the 747-8I there was a possibility improving on that which is offered on their 747-400, but if that is the way they want it, so be it.
The 747-8i is made even more unlikey with their late order of the 777-9X.
DeleteWhile 777X orders do make me happy, I, like you, was disappointed in no 748i order :(
I would disregard the 777X just for now, they don't exist. They are paper planes that have not flown a single mile or have even made it past the hangar doors.
DeleteAirlines can plan all they like, and if they really are going overboard with the commitments now, it is because they can.
The 747-8I is dying because the airline are listening to over-inflated risk asessments. The fact is that they are going along with the 'New widebody twin thing,' and saying that its just inferior on all accounts.. Is it Really?
Well only Boeing knows that.
I agree in the sense that I thought this particular CX order would be for more frames, even if just F's. That being said however, I think it may still be a possibility that CX will order more 747-8s, and possibly include the Intercontinental variety.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for this is that like most airlines, they are constantly evaluating their network and fleet needs. With 14 8Fs to be in their fleet already, it is not going to be any strain at all for them to do maintenance, manage spares, and have crews trained for 8I's, should they decide to pick them up. As they see how LH is utilizing their premium heavy birds, and more importantly as they evaluate how their 3 recently delivered PIP frames perform, perhaps they will still end up picking up some Intercontinentals for limited expansion, or for certain routes, or for interim lift until the 779s can be delivered.
It is clearly on the optimistic side of things, but in my opinion it would be great to see another airline operating both 747-8 variants, and CX already has the Freighter fleet in place for it to make sense.
Never say never for sure. What I'd love to know is, what are the details of the divide between Boeing, who keeps pushing to refine and sell the jet, and all of these fleet managers that seem so uninterested? Why does Cathay feel so strongly about the 777 for passengers but the 747-8 for cargo?
DeleteHere is a debate about the PIP2 on another forum. Starts at page 8.
Deletehttp://www.pprune.org/fragrant-harbour/517363-b748i-a380-order-8.html
Oh btw TurtleLuv,
DeleteIs it possible to put a table on here with Orders as well?
Thanks and in case I forgot... Happy New Year 2014 to everyone .
Yeah I was thinking about adding that. I have some other plans for chart additions and optimizations as well.
DeleteOne of Cargolux frames have got engines now:
ReplyDeletehttp://paineairport.com/images/fl122813.jpg
1 more delivery for December:
ReplyDeletehttp://flightaware.com/live/flight/KAL28D/history/20131230/2100Z/KPAE/RKSI