Cargo market was the playground of the Jumbo Jet for quiet long but it is having its fall now
Citing the collapse in demand of Jumbo Jets, world’s most renowned aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, has recently stated that it is reducing the number of 747s being produced to only one every two months. The original 747 is best known for its vital role in cargo services, delivering cargo to Africa, major Asian cities, U.S., and other countries around the globe.
Previously, Boeing announced its plans to slow down the production of the 747 jets to just one jet a month from 1.3 jets but now this number has been cut down further. 747-8 is the newest model of 747 that arrived in 2012. It is featuring plenty of new and advanced manufacturing techniques used in 787 and other aircraft which are lighter, newer and cheaper-to-operate.
Boeing has received only 121 new orders and of those, only 51 were in configuration to carry passengers, rest of them are air cargo freighters. The 747 has made a massive contribution to global tourism and cargo services. The 747-400 is a remarkable machine that doesn’t need a touchdown for more fuel on a twelve-hour journey, as an example, Europe to all major Asian cities.
In jet engine manufacturing, significant improvements in power and reliability makes it possible to rival the capacity and range of Jumbo Jet with twin-engine aircraft. That eventually makes the 747 a less attractive buy and more expensive to operate. The 777 passenger carrier is working on the same idea and it can carry more than 450 passengers in some configurations.
According to Boeing, the 2015 was one of the worst year as there wasn’t a single new order for 747 as the cargo operators are not buying anything at all. The air freight demand fall indicates the economic conditions are pretty bad.
For Boeing 747, there is only one permanent customer left and that is none other than the White House. The new 747-8s check all the boxes to serve as presidential transport. This is only reason why the US military still likes quad-engine airliners. They can install anything in it to meet the requirements to keep the POTUS.
