The first of the 14 new Boeing 777 freighters which DHL has ordered has made its first commercial flight – from its home base at Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport to Bahrain.
Operated by DHL partner Southern Air, the plane will soon start scheduled operations.
"The delivery of our first Boeing 777 freighter marks an important milestone in our mission to overhaul our intercontinental fleet,” said John Pearson, ceo DHL Express. “This efficient, long-range and high-capacity freighter will enable us to serve even more markets with non-stop flights and significantly contributes to greater sustainability in line with our ‘zero emission by 2050’ sustainability strategy.”
With a payload capability of 112 tons and a range of 9,200km, the B777F has the largest capacity and range of all twin-engine freight airplanes. They are also more fuel efficient and reliable than older models, reducing CO2 emissions by 18% compared with the aircraft being replaced.
The older B747-400s aircraft will be gradually replaced as the new models arrive. Another three B777F are scheduled to arrive this year.
