JOC Staff | Aug 19, 2011 11:36AM EDT
Boeing reached a major milestone in its long-delayed program for its 747-8 freighter, winning certification in the United States and Europe for the next-generation aircraft the manufacturer believes will be the anchor for future international cargo transport
Boeing said it expects to deliver the first freighter in early December to all-cargo carrier Cargolux. The aircraft logged more than 3,400 hours of flight to receive the certificates from the Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency.
The 747-8 freighter has 16 percent more capacity than its predecessor, the B747-400 freighter. Boeing previously said it expects the world fleet of freighters to double from 1,760 to 3,500 aircraft over the next 20 years.