CARGOLUX has ordered a further three Boeing 747-8 Freighters, valued at US$845 million at list prices, and added two purchase options.

"The momentum in the market for the 747-8 Freighter continues with this follow-on order from our valued customer Cargolux," said Marlin Dailey, Boeing Commercial Airplanes' vice president, sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia.

This brings the total number of 747-8 Freighters on order by the Luxembourg-based carrier to 13, plus two options and 10 purchase rights, a Boeing statement said.

"The outstanding economics of the 747-8 Freighter was decisive in its selection as the centre piece of our future fleet," said Uli Ogiermann, chief executive officer of Cargolux.

The freighters are equipped with new GEnx engines, which were originally designed for the highly fuel-efficient 787 Dreamliner, to allow for greater improvements in fuel efficiency, emissions and durability with significantly less noise and weight than today's engines. "Equally important was the environmental performance of this airplane. With 15 per cent reduction in emissions and a 30 per cent reduction in noise, Cargolux is taking action today for tomorrow's world."

Boeing launched the 747-8 in 2005, with orders from Cargolux and Japan's Nippon Cargo Airlines. The programme now has 87 orders for both the freighter and passenger versions combined.

The 747-8 Freighter can fly 8,275 kilometres with a maximum structural payload capacity of 140 tonnes. It offers 16 per cent more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400F with slightly greater range. Boeing claims the 747-8 Freighter will enjoy the lowest ton-mile costs of any freighter.