Korean Air (KAL) plans to order around 10 long-range freighters from Boeing before the end of the year, as the US manufacturer lands another customer for its 777 Freighter with a deal from China Southern Airlines for six aircraft.
KAL Cargo president Ken Choi says the airline is evaluating the Boeing 747-8F and 777F and plans to order around 10 new freighter aircraft before year-end. He says KAL Cargo has ruled out the Airbus A380 because the airline needs first deliveries from 2010.
KAL Cargo did look at the A380F, but ruled it out because the airline is unsure when deliveries could start, considering the ongoing delays to the A380 production schedule.
KAL's passenger airline arm says that it is considering placing an order for passenger widebodies. Although the carrier will not disclose a timeframe for a decision or reveal how many aircraft it might order, it is adamant it "will need new aircraft" and says several types, including the 777-300ER and 747-8, are being evaluated.
Meanwhile, China Southern says it will use the six 777Fs it has ordered for new services to Europe and the USA. The Guangzhou-based carrier will receive the new aircraft between November 2008 and July 2010. China Southern Airlines' cargo division says: "We compared the 747F with the 777F and we found that the 777F will be more profitable for long-haul routes to the USA and Europe."
China Southern has two 747-400F long-haul freighters. It is expanding its cargo operation with the introduction of six Airbus A300-600Fs next year and is looking to spin off the arm into a separate business as it seeks a foreign joint-venture partner. The airline was earlier talking to KAL before the latter decided instead to partner with Chinese logistics firm Sinotrans in a new cargo airline venture in China.
Source: Flight International
