Korean celebrates freighter first

KOREAN Air has taken receipt of its inaugural 777F and 747-8F, making it the first carrier in the world to operate both aircraft types.

The freighters add a combined 253 metric tonnes of capacity at a time when cargo volumes have declined sharply. Freight volumes out of Korea fell 14 per cent, while figures to Europe declined 26 per cent.

Korean Air plans to operate the 747-8 freighter on its transpacific route, with stops in Osaka and Narita (both Japan), Los Angeles and San Francisco (both US). The 777 freighter is Korean Air’s first twin-engine freighter and will allow the airline to open into new markets in Europe, including Frankfurt (Germany), London (UK) and Vienna (Austria).