IAG Cargo will inaugurate its Boeing 787-9 on the London Heathrow-Delhi route on October 25.

“IAG Cargo is in the midst of one of the biggest fleet upgrade programmes in our group’s history,” said Steve Gunning, CEO of IAG Cargo. “The B787-9 is at the heart of this transformation, delivering more cargo capacity than its predecessors more efficiently and making it well suited to our bellyhold operations. Through our investment in next-generation aircraft we will continue to be able to offer customers a diverse product portfolio that meets their requirements for extremely high levels of reliability.”

The 787-9 will be capable of carrying seven pallets and 16 tonnes of lift. It will also offer new air conditioning systems that can maintain the hold temperature with an accuracy of 1°C, enabling IAG Cargo’s Constant Climate customers to ship temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products.

The 787-9 will fly the LHR-DEL route five times a week, replacing a Boeing 747-400 and offering 17% more capacity, according to IAG.