The end of the Boeing 747 era has moved one step closer following the delivery of the second to last airframe.
The jet, N862GT (c/n 67149), is the 1,573rd example to roll off the manufacturer’s production line since 1968 and was handed over to the New York-based carrier Atlas Air on November 22.
The 747-8F is finished in the livery of Swiss freight company Kuehne+Nagel and will be operated on its behalf by the American airline under a long-term agreement.
“With Atlas Air taking delivery of the final 747s for its customer Kuehne+Nagel, this iconic Boeing airplane will continue to move cargo around the world for decades to come,” said Kim Smith, vice president and general manager of the Boeing 747/767 Program. “As we say goodbye to the ‘Queen of the Skies’, we’re proud of her legacy as an airplane that propelled aviation innovation and later laid the foundation of our family of freighters.”
John Dietrich, president and chief executive officer, Atlas Air Worldwide, added: “This 747-8F delivery underscores the importance of our long-term strategic partnership with Kuehne+Nagel and our commitment to support their continued growth and expansion… The two 747-8Fs we will operate for [the company] will add more capacity and versatility for their network.”
The quadjet was ferried from Seattle/Paine Field to Miami International on November 22. Golf Tango’s first flight took place just over a month ago on October 20.
Initially expected to occur this year, the delivery of the last ever 747 has been pushed back into the first quarter of next year.
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings – which owns six subsidiaries including Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air and Atlas Air – currently boasts a fleet of 57 jumbos, comprising 44 -400s and 13 -8s. It first took delivery of the next-generation variant on May 29, 2012.
