New Boeing freighter touches down
By Staff Writers

A Boeing 747-8 freighter landed on June 17 at Hartsfield-Jackson for the first time. The new aircraft, which is scheduled to be delivered to airlines later in the year, was on its certification flight.

Atlanta Fire Rescue crews greeted the plane with a water-cannon salute, and Airport employees and media representatives were on hand to welcome the freighter, which is estimated to save 20 percent in fuel costs while carrying more cargo than the current models.

Four airlines that operate at Hartsfield-Jackson — Cargolux, Korean Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways — will operate the new 747-8 here when it becomes available.

Hartsfield-Jackson made airfield modifications, such as painting ramp markings, to ensure that the Airport could accommodate the large freighter.

Some facts about the 747-8:

• The 747-8 will be 18.3 feet longer than the 747-400F and will have a maximum structural payload capability of 154 tons.
• The freighter will have nearly equivalent trip costs and 16 percent lower ton-mile costs than the 747-400, plus 16 percent more revenue cargo volume than its predecessor.
• The additional 4,245 cubic feet of volume means the 747-8 can accommodate four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets.
• The 747-8’s empty weight is 88 tons lighter than the A380F, resulting in a 24 percent lower fuel burn per ton, 21 percent lower trip costs and 23 percent lower ton-mile costs.
• The 747-8 makes 30 percent less noise than the 747-400 freighters.

The Boeing 747-8 arrived to a water cannon salute.

The freighter arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson for the first time on June 17.

The new aircraft will be delivered to airlines later this year. Four airlines that operate at Hartsfield-Jackson will use the 747-8.