The freighters will be supplied through a five-year wet lease agreement with Global Supply Systems Limited (GSS), a 49% UK affiliate of Atlas Air, owner of the aircraft. The new 747-8 Freighters will replace IAG Cargo's current fleet of 747-400 freighters and will be the first freighter aircraft since 2000 to be branded with British Airways' livery.
The biggest aircraft on the UK registry, the freighters will serve existing schedules to destinations including STN, HKG, FRA, PVG, ORD, DEL, as well as new routes through NBO, MAD and JNB ' providing customers with further flexibility on emergent and resilient trade lanes.
Steve Gunning, Managing Director of IAG Cargo says: 'As the first 747-8 Freighter is welcomed to Stansted, the investment by IAG Cargo, through British Airways World Cargo, in these three new aircraft clearly signals our intent and commitment to the air cargo industry. In addition to the extended global network offered through IAG Cargo, our freighters will provide customers with increased capacity and, for the first time, freighter routes to Nairobi and Johannesburg. We remain committed to our long-term freighter partnership with GSS and Atlas Air.'
