Cargo capacity increases with new aircraft purchases (01/10/2007)

The purchase of 12 Airbus A380 and 24 Boeing 787 aircraft as replacements for 34 of the airline's longhaul fleet will add at least an extra 170 tonnes/ day to British Airways World Cargo's current capacity.

Due for delivery between 2010 and 2014, the order will give the airline the flexibility to tailor its future capacity growth in line with market conditions.

The aircraft will be greener, quieter and more fuel efficient with significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions and reduced impact on local air quality. This was a key consideration in the order.

Andy Warwick, general manager business development, comments: "The Boeing 787s in particular double the capacity of our current 767 fleet and will be used to start new routes and increase frequencies in existing markets. This fleet order is that largest that British Airways has made since 1998 and the green credentials of the aircraft played a vital role in the decision-making process.

"The order is welcome news and comes on the back of the recent five-year renewal of the wet lease covering our three B747-400 freighters."