BASEL, Switzerland, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- The first of two brand-new Boeing 747-8 Freighters enters scheduled service within Panalpina's unique own controlled air freight network. The aircraft in Panalpina livery -- a first in the company's history -- was handed over to Panalpina on the occasion of a festive out-of-hangar event at Boeing's manufacturing facility in Everett, Washington.
For the first time in the company's history, an aircraft with Panalpina's name and logo takes to the skies. Following hand-over ceremony, the 747-8F with the tail number N850GT took off from Paine Field in Everett nearby Seattle and flied to Hong Kong. In Hong Kong the aircraft named the "Spirit of Panalpina" immediately enters scheduled service within Panalpina's unique own controlled air freight network.
From Hong Kong, the 747-8F will fly on to Luxembourg with the first cargo on board. The aircraft is being deployed on the Luxembourg / Huntsville route as well as other routes. Panalpina launched the Luxembourg / Huntsville route, also known as the "Dixie Jet", as the very first own controlled service in 1990. Within the own controlled air freight network Panalpina can be particularly responsive to individual requirements, also on short notice, because the freight forwarder can arrange its own capacity.
In September 2011, Panalpina and Atlas Air, a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services, signed a wet-lease agreement for two Boeing 747-8 Freighters. They are replacing two previous generation 747-400 Freighters and the first of that type to be registered in the USA. The delivery of the second 747-8F is foreseen for later in 2012.
Staying ahead of the game
The 747-8F offers 16% more capacity than the 747-400F. It is also more environmentally friendly with double digit improvements in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions and a noise footprint reduction by 30%. "We are staying ahead of the game by combining our expertise, our global network and our industry specific know-how with the best cargo aircraft that the world of aviation has to offer," said Panalpina CEO Monika Ribar. "This is very exciting and it opens up new horizons for flexible and innovative air freight solutions, especially for our Healthcare, Hi-Tech, Automotive and Oil and Gas customers."
"For the customers in these industries reliance on air freight is particularly important. We provide quick reaction and response time, shorter overall lead times to all continents and countries and full control over the entire end-to-end process. We adhere to the highest security standards and are fully compliant with Good Distribution Practice regulations. Plus, the use of the latest technology guarantees that the environmental impact is the lowest possible," added Karl Weyeneth, Panalpina's Chief Operating Officer.
The new 747-8F adds further value to Panalpina's own controlled air freight network. One of the aircraft's innovative features is that two controlled temperature ranges can be maintained at the same time: One for 2 to 8 degrees Celsius (cold chain) and one for 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (controlled room temperature). Full visibility of temperature monitoring is guaranteed, from pick-up via Panalpina's air freight hubs to final point of delivery. The secure and temperature controlled transport of products is a must within the healthcare industry.
"We are the only outsource operator to offer customers the 747-8 Freighter, and we are very pleased that Panalpina, one of our longest-tenured customers, now has the industry's newest freighter," said William J. Flynn, President and CEO of Atlas Air.
The only freight forwarder with an own controlled network
Panalpina is the only freight forwarder with an own controlled network besides regular air freight product offerings and global charter programs. The own controlled network acts as an in-house carrier to the whole Panalpina network. It has been designed to offer capacities and solutions in routings required by customers across various industries that cannot be covered by commercial carriers in the air freight market. Roughly 20% of Panalpina's global air freight volumes are handled by the own controlled network. The remaining volumes are procured with commercial carriers.
Photos of the Panalpina 747-8F can be downloaded here.
A fact sheet with a comparison of the 747-8F with the 747-400F can be downloaded here.
About Atlas Air Worldwide
Atlas Air Worldwide (AAWW) is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc. (Atlas) and Titan Aviation Leasing (Titan), and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. (Polar). Atlas Air Worldwide also maintains a 49% interest in Global Supply Systems Limited (GSS). Through Atlas and Polar, AAWW operates the world's largest fleet of Boeing 747 freighter aircraft. Atlas, Titan and Polar offer a range of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services that include ACMI service -- in which customers receive an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance on a long-term basis; CMI service, for customers that provide their own aircraft; express network and scheduled air cargo service; military charters; commercial cargo charters; and dry leasing of aircraft and engines. AAWW's press releases, SEC filings and other information may be accessed through the Company's home page, www.atlasair.com.
The Panalpina Group
The Panalpina Group is one of the world's leading providers of supply chain solutions, combining intercontinental Air and Ocean Freight with comprehensive Value-Added Logistics Services and Supply Chain Services. Thanks to its in-depth industry know-how and customized IT systems, Panalpina provides globally integrated end-to-end solutions tailored to its customers' supply chain management needs. The Panalpina Group operates a global network with some 500 branches in more than 80 countries. In a further 80 countries, it cooperates closely with partner companies. Panalpina employs approximately 15,500 people worldwide.
