The first of Boeing’s new 747-8 freighters is one step closer to being complete with the addition of its forward and aft fuselage section with the wing and the body.

Boeing 747 programme vice-president and general manager Mo Yahyavi said the freighter is the largest commercial jet plane assembled by Boeing.

The 747-8 is 5.6m longer than the 70.7m-long 747-400 freighter.

The additional length will offer 16% more revenue cargo volume than its predecessor, which means it will carry four additional main-deck pallets and three additional lower-hold pallets.

Boeing has 78 orders for the freighter from cargo operators including Cargolux, Atlas Air, Cathay Pacific, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise, Guggenheim and Korean Air.