Data Reveals the Dominant Role of the 747 Freighter in 2020 | Aviation International News

Data Reveals the Dominant Role of the 747 Freighter in 2020

Data from Spire Aviation's satellite constellation shows how Boeing's 747F far outstripped other large freighters while Covid gripped air transport.

Spire Aviation's data shows that the numbers of 747F aircraft in service were three times higher than those of the A380, A340 and passenger versions of the 747 in 2020. (Chart: Spire Aviation)

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

February 15, 2021

The Boeing 747’s long and distinguished service as a long-haul passenger airliner was one of several Covid-19 casualties in the air transport sector, with many nostalgically mourning the passing of the so-called Queen of the Skies. But Covid hasn’t been as cruel on the air cargo sector, prompting operators to boost capacity by enlisting more lift to haul goods around the world, including health supplies and, lately, vaccines too.

New data from Spire Aviation provides a vivid snapshot of the extent to which the 50-plus-year-old 747 has acted as a workhorse moving goods valued at around $6 trillion, representing one-third of world trade, according to IATA. The industry group calculates the number of Covid vaccines needed to treat the world’s 7.8 billion people would fill 8,000 747Fs.

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