The German airline, Lufthansa, on Wednesday became the first airline in the world to take delivery of a Boeing 747-8 the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
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A NAN correspondent who covered the launch reports that the new plane described as the ” Queen of the sky” was showcased at the airline's hanger in Frankfurt to the admiration of the public, journalists and aviation stakeholders.
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Speaking at the launch of the aircraft? Mr Carsten Spohr , Chief Executive Officer? of Lufthansa Airlines said the “Jumbo ” plane was characterised by lower noise emissions and fuel consumption? when compared to the previous? Boeing 747-400 Jumbo Jet.
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“The Boeing 747-8 is a new aircraft that builds upon positive features of the Boeing 747 series which has been Lufthansa's long- haul workhorse for the past 40 years “
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“The aircraft boasts significantly improved aerodynamics and newly developed wing tips, and also provides tangible improvements in terms of? Eco- efficiency”?? Spohr said.
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According to him, Lufthansa will take delivery of 20 planes from the new Boeing series by 2015, adding that the aircraft would be deployed to its? Washington, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chicago and Los Angels routes.
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Also speaking, Mrs Elizabeth Lund, Vice President of Boeing 747 Commercial Aircraft, said Lufthansa passengers would experience a new level of comfort with the launch of the “Queen of the sky”.
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Lund said Lufthansa and Boeing partnership dated back to the 1960s, stressing that they would continue to cooperate in bringing innovation to the aviation industry.
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NAN reports that the?? New Boeing 747-8 is 76.3 meters long, 5.6 meters longer than its predecessor the 747-400 and can accommodate 362 passengers, eight in first class, 92 in business class and 262 in economy class.(NAN)