UPS Takes Delivery of First 747-400
UPS’s first 747-400 arrived at the company’s global air hub here today for its public debut, ready to begin fulfilling the global mission emblazoned on its fuselage – “Synchronizing the world of commerce.”
UPS will fly the jumbo freighter on its long-range international routes, primarily into the Asia-Pacific region. Regular destinations for UPS’s first 747-400 will include Hong Kong; Incheon, South Korea; Sydney, Australia, and Shanghai, where the company is building its China air hub. Ultimately, the company will use the aircraft on its “around the world” flights with stops in Cologne, Germany; Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Mumbai, India.
UPS will take delivery of three new 747-400s in 2007 and five more in 2008. In addition, the company will acquire five more of the aircraft from other carriers by 2010, bringing the total fleet size to 13.
The 747-400 has a payload of 273,300 pounds with a range of 4,400 nautical miles. It has 30 load positions on its main deck and can carry 32 smaller containers on its lower deck. The aircraft is powered by General Electric CF6-80C2B5F engines.
The 747-400 will be the first freighter in the UPS fleet with a hinged nose. The aircraft’s nose-loading capability is ideal for air freight, allowing for extra large or extra long shipments.
