UPS has taken delivery of its latest B747-8 freighter as it continues to expand its all-cargo fleet.
The aircraft (N622UP) is the express carrier's 17th of the type with 12 more due to be delivered to the express giant.
UPS said that it expects to take delivery of three more of the aircraft this year to help meet peak season demand.
Today @UPS took delivery of its latest @BoeingAirplanes 747-8F aircraft N622UP. It will be available for its first revenue flight soon. This aircraft is UPS’s 17th 747-8F, with three more deliveries expected this year to help with peak season. ✈️?✈️ pic.twitter.com/Dgs1TAJawQ
— UPS Airlines (@UPSAirlines) September 3, 2020
UPS placed an order for 14 of aircraft back in February 2018 as part of a move to expand capacity.
“The new freighters will allow us to continue upsizing aircraft on routes and will create a cascading effect that will boost capacity on regional routes around the world," the express carrier said at the time.
Boeing announced it would close its B747 programme earlier this year as demand for the passenger type had dried up.
There are just 15 more of the aircraft — 12 for UPS and three for Volga-Dnepr UK — to be delivered before the programme comes to an end in 2022.
The airframer said that it would continue to manufacturer the iconic aircraft at a rate of 0.5 per month.
