Boeing's 747-8 freighter gets FAA, EASA certification
20 Aug 2011
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have certified Boeing Co.'s new 747-8 freighter for operations over their respective jurisdictions.
The 747-8 thus receives clearance for full-fledged operations ahead of the 787 Dreamliner.
Both the models are making it to the market years behind schedule, delayed by design and production glitches. The latest version of Boeing's iconic two-deck model, the B747-8, first entered service in 1970.
Boeing has said it would deliver the first 747-8 freighter to launch customer, Luxembourg's Cargolux Airlines International SA, in early September, a few weeks before the first Dreamliner is due to arrive at All Nippon Airways Co.
The 747-8 freighter is 18 feet longer, offering 16% more revenue cargo volume than its predecessor. It will be powered by General Electric Co.'s GEnx-2B engine.
