> While Boeing’s hump-nosed freighters will live on, the fast-disappearing A380 risks going down as an epic dud.
that way, but it's referring to A380 flights largely stopping but that the 747 freighter variants will be flying for a long time. But, the article (and other sources) are clear that production of 747-- including 747-8F-- is stopping. Explicitly explained later:
> Boeing’s jumbo freighters will continue to ply the skies for decades after production stops, said Aboulafia.
..
> “At a build rate of half an airplane per month, the 747-8 program has more than two years of production ahead of it in order to fulfill our current customer commitments. We will continue to make the right decisions to keep the production line healthy and meet customer needs,” Boeing said for this story.
> The planemaker has just 15 unfilled orders for the 747 -- all freighters. A dozen of them are headed to United Parcel Service Inc., and the fate of the rest is unclear, part of a dispute with Russia’s Volga-Dnepr Group.
oh, one more thing: in terms of passenger versions, there are two Air Force One's on order, aren't there? yeah yeah, I know, it's not AF1 if the president's not on it.
Yes. They bought undelivered 747-8Is that had already been built (the airline had gone bankrupt prior to delivery) and they are currently modifying the aircraft for presidential service.
I presume if someone really wants to rush and order a few more the run would be continued slightly, but this is unlikely...