Boeing has said that its new B747-8 is approved for operations at 200 airports around the world – less than six months after entering service – with London Heathrow Airport becoming the 200th airport to receive regulatory approval.

To date, 63 airports around the world are supporting revenue flights from 14 in-service B747-8 Freighters operated by five carriers. Boeing said the approval shows the newest member of the 747 family can operate safely within an airport environment, accounting for regulatory requirements, clearances, pavement loading and parking requirements.

The B747-8’s increased wingspan over the B747-400 places the aircraft
in the lower end of International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) airport design code F. ICAO airport design codes categorise aircraft based on wingspan and outer main-gear wheel span.