THAI Cargo to be first in Southeast Asia to utilize 777 Freighters

EVERETT, Wash., March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Boeing (NYSE: BA) has delivered two 777 Freighters to Southern Air Holdings, Inc., the first 777s to join the Norwalk, Conn.-based cargo carrier’s fleet.

The addition of these two airplanes makes Southern Air the world’s first aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) operator to feature the 777 Freighter.

“We are thrilled to take delivery of our first two Boeing 777 Freighters, the most advanced aircraft of its kind, offering unmatched payload, range and fuel efficiency,” said Daniel J. McHugh, CEO of Southern Air. “The addition of these two airplanes begins a new era for Southern Air, as we are now able to provide a mix of next- and current-generation freighter airplanes to serve our customers’ needs. Boeing is a valued business partner and we are proud to celebrate this milestone for our company with them.”

Southern Air has entered into an agreement to operate the two 777 Freighters on behalf of Thai Airways International. Thai Airways will utilize the full capacity of the 777 Freighters, becoming the first carrier in Southeast Asia to offer this capability to its freight customers.

“We are delighted to be the first in the region to provide this capability to our customers,” said Pruet Boobphakam, THAI executive vice president, Commercial Department and former acting managing director, Cargo & Mail Department. “The 777s are truly best-in-class planes and will be valuable additions to our cargo offerings.”

“With these new 777 Freighters, Southern Air is clearly making a further commitment to its customers and a strong investment in its future,” said Kevin Schemm, vice president of Sales, North America for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 777 Freighter is the largest, most capable twin-engine freighter on the market and will deliver superior economies and advantages to Southern Air and its new partner, THAI Cargo.”

Filling the gap between mid-size widebody cargo airplanes and the larger 747 freighters, the 777 Freighter (with 102 tonnes of revenue payload) delivers lower tonne-mile costs, flies greater distances nonstop, and achieves the lowest trip costs of any large twin-engine freighter.

Southern Air is a portfolio company of Oak Hill Capital Partners. In addition to the new Boeing 777 Freighters, Southern Air operates a fleet of 16 Boeing 747 Freighter airplanes.