Beast of burden: Can 747-8 inherit the title of air cargo’s

[jack973]

The 747-8 freighter has entered service, but is the jumbo a new paradigm for cargo or a white elephant? Our cargo special looks at the genesis of Boeing’s latest cargo lifter and asks whether, despite a difficult birth, it will be a long term success. We also take a look at Airbus’s mid-sized A330 freighter and ask if the market can support both a production freighter, and a conversion.

In news: Airbus believes re-engining its A320 family will keep potential competition driven by the emergence of the Chinese Comac C919 and Russia’s Irkut MS-21 in check, and Air India is refusing to take delivery of any of its 27 Boeing 787s until a compensation deal for delays to the programme has been thrashed out with Boeing.

editor´s comment

http://www.flightglobal.com/

[The Inspector]

There's a lot more to the Air India debacle than you mention. The airline is bleeding money and is ensnared in a very nasty labor disagreement with it's pilots, a lot of which revolves around who gets to fly the '87. AI is attempting to wring financial concessions amounting to $1 Billion out of Boeing, so there's more going on under the surface than may be evident.
The -8 Intercontinental will find it's market just as the original '47 did 40 years and 1400+ airframes ago. LUFTHANSA is just starting pax service with the -8.

[Jesse C.]

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