Globe Cargo

"Boeing was reported close to announcing two major new widebody freighter deals, one with cargo airlines operator Atlas Air Worldwide and another with a company that would lease the equipment to fleets. Both Boeing and Atlas declined comment on the reports. Atlas, which owns both the charter and wet lease carrier Atlas Air and scheduled freighter airline Polar Air Cargo, already bills itself as the largest fleet of 747 freighters. It recently grounded some older 747-200s to leave Polar using only the more efficient 747-400 model, but still has -200s in the charter fleet. Atlas, however, had said Aug. 14 in its latest earnings announcement that it was close to unveiling an order for new-era freighters. It also halted plans to build its fleet with 747-400 conversion freighters, saying the more efficient new-era models still being developed would be a better fit for Atlas in the future. That prompted questions at the time that Atlas would go for Boeing's 747-8 model. Now, reports say, Atlas is close to locking in 12 of them. Another buyer would reportedly order a mix of -8s and 777 freighters. Extracted from: Aircargoworld"

"Interesting. I would have expected to see them pick up a few more 747-400s before they started taking options of 747-8s. As they retire the -200s, I would have thought it more urgent to replace them now, but perhaps they hav ealready done that. BY the way, are 747-400s still being produced at the moment, or have they already wound down production in advance of the -8?"

Boeing is still delivering the -400 series. The most recent was a 747-400ERF delivered on 7/31/06 to Jade Cargo International. In total 9 747-400's have been delivered in 2006. The first 747-8 should be delivered sometime in 2009. I have no idea when they will stop accepting -400 orders.