air-cargo

Boeing 777-8F Delays Prompt Cargolux to Acquire Four 747-400 Freighters

Cargolux is acquiring four Boeing 747-400 freighters from China Airlines to offset delivery delays on its Boeing 777-8F order, according to the carrier's chief executive. The Luxembourg-based airline expanded a deal originally announced in November for two aircraft to four 747-400Fs, citing the need for fleet resilience. Boeing's 777-8F program now targets 2029 deliveries, a two-year slip from the manufacturer's initial 2027 goal. Cargolux has ordered 10 of the widebody freighters but expects to receive the 747s in 2027. The carrier operates a 30-aircraft 747 fleet comprising 14 747-8Fs and 16 747-400Fs. Cargolux leadership remains optimistic on market conditions, citing strong e-commerce growth and data centre demand, though executives maintain a cautious stance on fleet expansion.