Apex Logistics International, a Kuehne+Nagel company, will put into operation the last Boeing 747-8 freighter as part of the long-term charter agreement with Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. The aircraft will support customers on volatile trade lanes with reliable service, reduced transit times and increased efficiencies.

After a half-century production run of the jumbo jet, the last Boeing 747-8F under the name ‘Empower.’ was presented to the public during the official ceremony at the Boeing Everett Delivery Center in Seattle. The event marks the end of the ‘Queen of the Skies’ that helped catapult the global air logistics industry with its unique nose-loading capability, payload capacity and fuel efficiency. Following the first Kuehne+Nagel aircraft ‘Inspire.’, ‘Empower.’ will operate on the Transpacific routings strengthening the intra-Asia network with better connectivity.

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“The names we chose for the last two iconic aircraft fit their legacy – ‘Inspire.’ and ‘Empower.’ We look forward to seeing the last 747-8F aircraft taking off to fulfil the versatile needs of our customers worldwide with unmatched capability,” Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics, said.

“In 2001, when Apex was founded, our guiding principle was to empower employees with the common goal of offering customers flexible and reliable solutions to their logistics needs,” Tony Song, Group Chief Executive Officer Apex, said. “Twenty years later, as part of Kuehne+Nagel Group, we are proud to introduce ‘Empower.’, the newest and most exciting addition to Apex Logistics. This aircraft will reinforce our ability to provide strategic solutions and unique alternatives with passion. Together with our Apex Logistics colleagues, we are delighted to celebrate this special occasion with Kuehne+Nagel, Atlas Air and Boeing.”

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“We are pleased to operate this aircraft on behalf of Apex Logistics, a Kuehne+Nagel company. This is the second 747-8F delivery as part of our long-term strategic partnership with Kuehne+Nagel, which is reflective of our commitment to provide additional capacity for expanding their air cargo network,” John Dietrich, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide, said. “As the world’s largest operator of 747 freighters, Atlas is especially proud to take the last 747 ever to be built. We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 programme as we operate the aircraft for decades to come.”

“This monumental day is a testament to the generations of Boeing employees who brought to life the airplane that shrank the world and revolutionised travel and air cargo as the first true widebody,” said Stan Deal, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.