Boeing delivered its first 747-8 Freighter on 12 October to Cargolux, ending a month-long stand-off over a contractual dispute.

The first 747-8F, LC-VCB, was handed over to the carrier today with a second, LC-VCD, to be delivered 13 October. It departed Boeing's Everett site for Seattle-Tacoma International airport where it was loaded with cargo for a flight to Luxembourg.

Cargolux, Boeing and General Electric, which supplies the GEnx-2B engines for the new freighter, have been wrangling over a contractual dispute surrounding the performance of the 747-8F since 16 September when Cargolux declined to accept the aircraft, scuppering the planned first delivery on 19 September.

 Cargolux 747-8

 © Boeing

In a statement, Frank Reimen, president and chief executive of Cargolux said: "I am pleased that we have reached agreement on the contractual issues. The 747-8 Freighter will be a driver of profitable growth for Cargolux."

Akbar Al-Baker, chief executive of Qatar Airways, a 35% stakeholder in Cargolux, had previously told reporters that the cargo carrier planned to take delivery on 12 October after approving the order at a 7 October board meeting.

On 7 October, Cargolux announced that it had made progress in its talks with Boeing and GE, but a final resolution had not been reached.

Cargolux has 13 747-8Fs on order.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news