Cathay Pacific has taken delivery of its first Boeing 747-400ERF (Extended Range Freighter). The airplane is the first of six Boeing 747-400ERFs to be delivered to Cathay Pacific.
Cathay Pacific currently operates 115 airplanes, 18 of which are freighters, including six 747-400BCFs (Boeing Converted Freighters), six 747-400 and six 747-200 Freighters. The airline has remaining orders for two 747-400BCFs to further expand its freighter fleet. Cathay Pacific also has an order for 10 747-8F freighters.
The 747-400ER Freighter, which entered service in October 2002, has a maximum takeoff weight of 910,000 pounds (412,770 kg). This takeoff weight increase over existing 747-400 Freighters allows the 747-400ER Freighter to fly an additional 525 nautical miles (972 km), or it can carry an additional 22,000 pounds (9,980 kg) of payload on long-range flights at maximum takeoff weight.
The new aircraft is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4062A engines and will be deployed on trunk routes to North America to take full advantage of the airplane’s superior payload range capability.