KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- Boeing, on Thursday afternoon, towed the first 747-8 Freighter out of its factory in Everett, Washington, United States.

The airplane, ultimately destined for Cargolux, will be painted and begin preparations for flight testing, Boeing said in a statement.

"It is very rewarding to see this airplane's transition to the flight test phase," said Mo Yahyavi, 747 program vice president and general manager.

"Our employees, suppliers and customers have put in a lot of work towards making the 747-8 Freighter a reality," he added.

The 747-8 Freighter is the new high-capacity 747 that will give cargo operators the lowest operating costs and best economics of any freighter airplane, while providing an enhanced environmental performance.

It is 76.3 metres long, which is 5.6 metres longer than the 747-400 Freighter.

The stretch provides customers with 16 percent more revenue cargo volume compared to its predecessor. This also translates to four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets.

Boeing has secured 105 orders for the 747-8, 78 of which are for the new freighter.

Cargolux, Nippon Cargo Airlines, AirBridgeCargo Airlines, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Emirates SkyCargo, Guggenheim and Korean Air, have all placed orders for the 747-8 Freighter.

-- BERNAMA