LONDON – National Airlines has announced the delivery of its 8th Boeing 747-400 Freighter, as the carrier continues to expand to meet the growing demand of the e-commerce market.
Expanding The Fleet and Capabilities
The new aircraft registration N537CA (MSN 33749) has joined the carrier and once again sports the carrier’s new variants of the 747-400 freighter which is sporting a nose door and a large side door, allowing the company to expand into more complex cargo markets and better protect its self against struggling consumer market demands which can fluctuate rapidly.
National just last month took delivery of its first Boeing 747-400ERF aircraft which allows it to operate a wide range of destinations allowing it to offer new markets to existing customers.
Back when the announcement was made, 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,”
The aircraft and its front-loading ability mean it is also particularly suitable for pharmaceuticals, seafood, perishables, and other cold chain shipments, this is something that the airlines’ other freighters such as the Boeing 777 Freighter are not able to always do, due to their side loading only doors.
National Expects Further Expansion
While this announcement is great news for the company it comes in complete contrast to how other air freight and cargo companies globally are reacting right now, with FedEx just announcing the closure of ninety offices, the ground of part of its fleet and the cutting of workforce hours.
National Airlines currently operates its fleet to over 200 airports around the globe and now with this new aircraft, this number will only rise, as it reaches new markets and opens new possibilities for them.
As it stands the only thing that appears that could hold the company back from its future expansion will be how the global market reacts to the rising inflation costs if we see a notable drop off in the demands for not just air freight but also bulk freight it may see them reevaluate their current expansion plans.
Market Looks Fragile
As previously mentioned the market is fragile at this moment in time, rising inflation, COVID-19 outbreaks in China and a seemingly ever-growing energy crisis in Europe due to many factors one of which being the Russian invasion of Ukraine will in no doubt at some point start to affect the American market, something which means it might be hard for National Airlines to plan for.
But it is clear that the airline is currently experiencing solid growth and has a clear plan in place as to how it wants to expand its reach and market share over the coming years. It could even be argued that the cutbacks from competitors such as FedEx will allow them to enter new markets and continue to grow as other companies struggle with their current situations.
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