According to an email list, as well as being mentioned in the 748 delivery thread, Saudi Cargo have purchsed two 748F's from Boeing, which were not taken up by Atlas Air.

747-87UF msn's 37562 LN1429 and 37563 LN1432 are to be registered HZ-AI3 and HZ-AI4 respectively. Does anybody know when these are due for delivery and which routes they are to be allocated to?

I am looking forward to seeing these in SV colours, maybe they will now order some 747-8i's to replace the -400's.

[Edited 2013-01-22 21:29:09]

Good news for the 748 program, although very few of the 748F operators have gone on to order the pax version (I think KE is the only one to have ordered both). It looks like these offered to SV (probably other aircraft as well). Although a pax order is unlikely (SV already has 77Ws anyway which can do pretty much anything the 748 can), it would not surprise me if SV topped up its 748F order with new build frames.

Looking at their line numbers, it looks like they should be ready for delivery pretty much imminently - possibly already built, so just needing to be (re) painted in SV colours?

SV operates a wide network, so I'm sure they'll be flying west to NY and east to HKG.

Quoting kaitak (Reply 1): Looking at their line numbers, it looks like they should be ready for delivery pretty much imminently - possibly already built, so just needing to be (re) painted in SV colours?

Quoting Boeing777300 (Thread starter): LN1429 and 37563 LN1432

Yes, we're well beyond those line numbers already in service; methinks these are the rejected aircraft which did not meet performance targets.
I suspect Saudi achieved favorable terms to pick these aircraft up, while Boeing gained another 748 operator.

Quoting kaitak (Reply 1): Looking at their line numbers, it looks like they should be ready for delivery pretty much imminently - possibly already built, so just needing to be (re) painted in SV colours?

These were built a long while ago and have been in storage at PAE while newer frames were delivered instead.

These were both subject of increased activity for the past few weeks, so this explains where they are going to. I would imagine they could be delivered pretty quickly depending on what needs to be done and I bet SV got an excellent price.

Hope these route via YVR like the BBJ's and one LH frame...      

As these planes were heavily worked on in the past months it was rumoured that there was a client in the line. The 748F will look fantastic in SV colours.

Quoting YVRLTN (Reply 3): I bet SV got an excellent price.

You can be sure of it as they are early frames not quite to series standard. But did SV buy, or lease them from Boeing?

Quoting kaitak (Reply 1): Good news for the 748 program, although very few of the 748F operators have gone on to order the pax version (I think KE is the only one to have ordered both). It looks like these offered to SV (probably other aircraft as well). Although a pax order is unlikely (SV already has 77Ws anyway which can do pretty much anything the 748 can), it would not surprise me if SV topped up its 748F order with new build frames.

SV always had a diverse Cargo fleet, a mix of own planes and leased in 747Fs. They have recently parked their three MD11Fs and have returned two or three leased-in 747Fs in very recent weeks, plus their single 742F is getting old so there is quite some capacity to fill. Two more 748Fs are possible indeed. As for pax-748s, well, the four 744s they own dont need replacing before 2020. SV is known to keep their 747s very long, longer than any airline this side of Iran Air. The 77Ws are mainly to replace the 743s they still have, plus the 741s that were retired in the past few years, and maybe some older leased-in planes.

Quoting na (Reply 4): They have recently parked their three MD11Fs

I don't know from where you've got that info since all four MD-11Fs have been flying lately, including yesterday and today.

I suppose that these are the fully completed units that are over weight, rejected and were destined for use by Atlas/BA joint company GSS

Quoting SpaceshipDC10 (Reply 5): I don't know from where you've got that info since all four MD-11Fs have been flying lately, including yesterday and today.

Sorry, that was indeed a misinformation. I was quite sure I read that recently but just checked. Its only the Saudi Government MD11 thats stored.

Any idea on how they will be crewed yet? Might this be a sign that Saudia is ready to rebuild its in-house cargo operations, or will they hand over the aircraft for someone else to operate them?

It would be ironic if they ended up being crewed by Atlas. After all, they are the only supplier with any experience in -8F to date.

Quoting blueflyer (Reply 8): After all, they are the only supplier with any experience in -8F to date.

No, CV has 10 B-747-8Fs inservice and another 4-5, or so still on order. I believe that makes CV the largest operator of the B-748 today. 5Y only has 6 in operation, not counting the 3 BA airplanes.

Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 9): Quoting blueflyer (Reply 8): After all, they are the only supplier with any experience in -8F to date. No, CV has 10 B-747-8Fs inservice and another 4-5, or so still on order. I believe that makes CV the largest operator of the B-748 today. 5Y only has 6 in operation, not counting the 3 BA airplanes.

Actually Cargolux only have 6 in service. Atlas/Polar only have 4 in service unless you count the Global Supply Systems ones which are crewed and run separately. Cathay Pacific has 8 of them flying with 5 more to come which makes CX the largest current operator.

Quoting na (Reply 4): But did SV buy, or lease them from Boeing?

Boeing has a two-frame UFO order for the 747-8F from late 2012, so I expect this is SV's order.

Quoting Stitch (Reply 11): Boeing has a two-frame UFO order for the 747-8F from late 2012, so I expect this is SV's order.

Ah, the unidentified order of a few weeks ago, yes, I remember. Thank you that info.

I wonder if this has anything to do with SV Cargo terminating Evergreen ?

Quoting United_fan (Reply 13): I wonder if this has anything to do with SV Cargo terminating Evergreen ?

They´ve returned the single Evergreen 744F, but also a Southern 742F in the past months.

Quoting na (Reply 4):

SV phased out their single 742F over a year ago.

Quoting 777way (Reply 15):

According to my information it was stored in mid-2010 but reactivated last year. And its listed as active on the fleet pages available. Is that wrong?

Quoting YVRLTN (Reply 3): Hope these route via YVR like the BBJ's and one LH frame...

Only reason some of the BBJ's routed thru YVR is because they were returning to the states for mod work so you're probably out of luck.

Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 9): No, CV has 10 B-747-8Fs inservice and another 4-5, or so still on order.

I'm aware other carriers have -8Fs on property, but neither Cargolux nor Cathay is interested in providing lift for Saudia. Atlas is, or could be (it's in their business model, at least), so they remain the only supplier with experience, if that is the road Saudia wants to take.

@na, Not wrong then, my source ch aviation have stopped giving such details, BTW and MD90 has joined SV Royal flight.

Quoting KC135TopBoom (Reply 9): Quoting blueflyer (Reply 8): After all, they are the only supplier with any experience in -8F to date. No, CV has 10 B-747-8Fs inservice and another 4-5, or so still on order. I believe that makes CV the largest operator of the B-748 today. 5Y only has 6 in operation, not counting the 3 BA airplanes.

Weren't CV the launch customer for the 748F?

And yes, this will look stunning in Saudia Colors!

135Mech

[Edited 2013-01-23 10:22:45]

Quoting United_fan (Reply 13): I wonder if this has anything to do with SV Cargo terminating Evergreen ?

Why yes it does...along with 4 other reasons