LONDON – US based air cargo operator National Airlines has announced the arrival of an additional Boeing 747-400 ERF Extended Range Freighter to its fleet.
The newest acquisition is a fuel-efficient freighter bearing the registration N663CA (MSN 35237). Featuring a nose door and a large side door, the aircraft is a logical choice globally for sophisticated cargo movements across long distances.
The induction of the new freighter is part of National Airlines’ current global fleet and network expansion approach to meet the massive demand to move huge shipments worldwide.
Aircraft cargo capability
The B747-400 ERF aircraft has a maximum gross payload of an incredible 128 metric tons (about 282,000 pounds).
The nose door loading capability is a unique feature of this type of aircraft, and gives National the capability to move customers’ shipments of any length. This is not possible with the B777 freighter.
This aircraft is also particularly suitable for pharmaceuticals, seafood, perishables, and other cold chain shipments.
National Airlines management statement
Speaking on the acquisition of the additional freighter aircraft, Christopher Alf, Chairman of National Air Cargo Holdings, Inc. said:
“The introduction of the B747-400 ERF aircraft is part of our greater vision to modernize our fleet and enhance our service offerings for our customers.”
“Our prime focus is not just rapid fleet expansion, but also to offer newer and innovative air freight solutions to the post-COVID global market to meet growing specialized cargo demands.”
With this latest fleet addition, National Airlines offers additional freighter capacity to carry lengthy, odd-sized, bulk and delicate cargo across its global network of over 200 airports within a stipulated time frame.
National sates that it will continue to add more freighter aircraft to its fleet in the coming months.
About National Air Cargo Holdings
National Air Cargo Holdings became one of the very few companies that transformed from a freight forwarder to a fully-fledged airline, acquiring the first fleet of aircraft in the mid-2000s.
National Airlines commenced operations in 2006. Commencing with narrow-bodied DC-8 aircraft, there were constant investments made to modernize the fleet over the next few years.
Today, National Airlines has a rapidly expanding fleet of six B747-400Fs alongside the B757-200 and A330-200. The company offers premium cargo and passenger services worldwide.
National Airlines has the Part 121 FAA license alongside the CARB (Commercial Airlift Review Board) certification and is also a CRAF (Civil Reserve Air Fleet) carrier, making National one of the prime US DOD (United States Department of Defense) transporters in the industry.
As a global airline, besides regional hubs in the United States, National Airlines operates numerous flights across the six continents and currently employs over 600 people worldwide.
