Cargolux brings Boeing’s largest aircraft to support IND cargo growth
IND welcomes first Boeing 747-8F service on January 27. Arrival of new aircraft follows recent announcement by Cargolux and DB Schenker to add third weekly Luxembourg flight supporting local imports/exports to Europe.
As Indianapolis prepares for the upcoming Super Bowl, Cargolux Airlines is scoring a touchdown by bringing its newest addition to its all-cargo fleet, the Boeing 747-8F, to Indianapolis International Airport (IND) on January 27. This latest generation of the 747 cargo aircraft will provide Cargolux with more capacity through IND to handle the region’s European imports/exports while also achieving greater fuel efficiency. The new aircraft arrival at IND follows the recent announcement by Cargolux and global freight forwarder DB Schenker of a third weekly scheduled flight added between IND and Luxembourg (LUX).
Cargolux’s new aircraft provides many benefits to its operations, its customers, and the airports it visits. The new Boeing 747-8F is 18 feet longer than its predecessor, the 747- 400F, with a maximum payload capacity of 134 metric tons.
Due to the aircraft’s increased size, IND is one of only 21 airports approved by the FAA to receive the 747-8F. “It’s great to see Cargolux bring its newest, and largest, aircraft to IND,” said Chris Matney, Air Service director for the Indianapolis Airport Authority. “The additional capacity of the 747-8F and the recent addition of the third weekly frequency at IND will provide Indiana’s international shippers more opportunities to support this direct access to the European market.”
The aircraft’s additional length will allow for 16 percent more cargo payload. Despite its larger size, the new 747-8F efficiencies provide significantly enhanced operating costs per ton-mile carried than its predecessor. The 747-8F also offers sustainability and environmental improvements, including a double-digit reduction in C02 emissions and 30 percent reduction of its noise footprint.
Cargolux began operations at the airport in February 2006, collaborating with DB Schenker and Roche Diagnostics on weekly IND-LUX flights designed to bypass air cargo problems caused by the congestion at Chicago O’Hare. Cargolux and DB Schenker’s operation has been a successful solution for the air-cargo supply chain in Indianapolis and has grown from one to three weekly flights. PAGE 2
“As healthcare is a key focus of DB Schenker, with considerable investment going into the growth of this vertical market, the 747-800 offers increased capacity and control to meet the needs of our customers shipping temperature-sensitive cargo,” said Thurman Walker, General Manager, DB Schenker, Indianapolis.
About Cargolux Airlines International
Cargolux, based in Luxembourg, is Europe’s largest all-cargo airline and launch customer for the new generation Boeing 747-8 freighter airplane. The Company operates a modern fleet of 2 Boeing 747-8 cargo aircraft and 13 Boeing 747-400 freighters. Its worldwide network covers 90 destinations, 60 of which are served on scheduled all-cargo flights. The Company has more than 85 offices in over 50 countries, and also offers an extensive trucking network to more than 180 destinations worldwide, as well as charter and aircraft maintenance services. Cargolux employs nearly 1,500 staff worldwide.
About DB Schenker
DB Schenker is one of the leading globally integrated logistics service providers and handles all of Deutsche Bahn’s transportation and logistics operations. DB Schenker offers land transport, air and ocean freight, as well as comprehensive logistics solutions and global supply chain management from a single source.
About the Indianapolis Airport Authority
The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) owns and operates Indiana’s largest airport system. In addition to Indianapolis International Airport (IND), its facilities include the Downtown Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Hendricks County Airport, Indianapolis Regional Airport, and Metropolitan Airport. IND has received several prestigious awards recognizing it as a leader within its class, including best airport in North America by Airports Council International as part of its annual Airport Service Quality awards for performance excellence. IND is the first airport in the U.S. to win LEED® certification for an entire terminal campus, and the airport has won recognition for excellent customer service, concessions programs, and art and architecture.
IND’s economic impact in Central Indiana is more than $3.3 billion annually, and about 10,000 people work at the airport each day. Benefitting from lower-than-average fares, IND serves more than 7 million business and leisure travelers each year and averages 135 daily nonstop flights to 34 destinations. Home of the world's second-largest FedEx Express operation and the nation’s eighth-largest cargo facility, IND is committed to becoming the airport system of choice for both passenger and cargo service. For more information, visit IND’s Facebook page at Indianapolis International Airport and Twitter page at @INDairport.