Atlas Air subsidiary Global Supply Systems says it will put into service the first 747-8 freighter delivered to Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings and will operate the new freighter for British Airways World Cargo through a five year wet-lease agreement. William J. Flynn, CEO of GSS, said: "We have been looking forward to the delivery of our first 747-8F for a long time, and we are delighted that it is going into service with our valued, long-standing customer, British Airways World Cargo." As part of the lease agreement for three 747-8 freighters with GSS, British Airways World Cargo will utilize the airplanes on long-haul routes to cargo hubs in Asia, Africa, India and the United States.
In other air cargo developments, Cathay Pacific says it will launch a twice-weekly freighter service to Zaragoza, Spain. The service will be operated as an extension of the airline's existing freighter schedule from Hong Kong to Delhi, then on to Amsterdam and Zaragoza, returning to Hong Kong via Dubai. Nick Rhodes, the airline's director cargo, said: "We are pleased and proud to be able to expand our operation into Spain. In addition to serving Zaragoza, we will also develop other major Spanish destinations by providing a trucking service from the cities of Barcelona, Madrid and other commercial centers. Cathay Pacific is committed to expanding its cargo network and has recently added new services to Bengaluru in India and Chongqing in Western China." The airline recently took delivery of its first Boeing 747-8F freighter aircraft, with three more to be delivered before the end of the year.
