Panalpina’s first branded B747-8 has begun a scheduled service between Europe and the US.

The inaugural flight, operated by Atlas Air, landed at Huntsville International Airport in Alabama on 2 June from Luxembourg.

Huntsville International Airport is the smallest airport in the US certified to accommodate the B747-8, part of the largest aircraft classification.

Panalpina’s US MD, Lucas Kuehner, said: “This is truly a historical occasion for Panalpina because having a branded plane symbolises the fact that we are the only third-party logistics provider that offers this type of service.

“The addition of a fully branded plane with state-of-the-art technology and more capacity opens up new opportunities for our healthcare, hi-tech, automotive and oil & gas customers.”