Florida-based carrier National Airlines is investing in Boeing 777 freighters for the first time with an order for four of the model.
The airline currently operates nine Boeing 747-400Fs. The newbuild 777Fs will help the airline modernise its fleet, increase cargo capacity and fly long haul routes.
"We are elated by this remarkable order of four Boeing 777 Freighters. This demonstrates our commitment to offering efficient, resourceful, and modern air freight services to support our global customers' increasing transportation demands," said Christopher Alf, chairman of National Airlines.
"The order affirms our fleet growth plan as we enter into the next chapter of National. We sincerely appreciate the support by Boeing and all its associated teams in this journey ahead."
National Airlines offers global cargo charter options for direct shippers, multinational manufacturers, e-commerce organisations, entertainment groups and government agencies.
As well as cargo charter services, National Airlines offers passenger charter services, ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance) and CMI (Crew, Maintenance & Insurance) services globally.
The carrier is part of National Air Cargo. Besides US regional hubs in Buffalo, New York; Orlando, Florida; and Chicago, Illinois, National has operational hubs located in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Madrid, Dubai, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Bahrain, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
"We appreciate National Airlines for its trust in Boeing and the 777 Freighter to grow the carrier's global fleet and deliver greater value for its customers," said Stephanie Pope, president and chief executive of Boeing. "With its cargo capacity, range and reliability, operators continue to rely on the 777 Freighter to build their future fleets, making it the best-selling freighter of all time."
Air Cargo News' sister magazine FlightGlobal reported that deliveries are due to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the order is expected to help the airline cater for e-commerce demand.
"Customers are demanding urgent shipments of freight," said Christopher Alf, chairman of National Air Cargo, reported FlightGlobal.
He added that Boeing's in-development 777-8F is an ideal future replacement for National Airlines' 747-400Fs.
"We will very much be interested in the newer, heavier 777 freighter...That would be a natural replacement for the -400," he said.
The twin-engine 777F has a revenue payload of 102 tonnes and a range of 9,200 km. This range and payload capability allows operators to offer more long-range, nonstop flights to connect key markets without refuelling.
The 777F is Boeing’s best-selling freighter airplane of all time with more than 270 deliveries to date.
Emirates SkyCargo recently ordered five more newbuild 777-200 freighters for delivery between 2025 and 2026. The carrier’s $1bn order follows its previous investment in four new 777-200Fs that are expected to arrive in 2024, plus a fifth 777-200F in 2025.
In its latest commercial market outlook report, Boeing predicted 2,845 new cargo aircraft will be needed by 2043 compared with last year’s forecast of 2,825.
https://www.aircargonews.net/airlines/maersk-air-cargo-takes-delivery-of-first-777f/
