Dutch74,
You bring up a good point. The training of flight crews will be minimal expense. Common type ratings will only require a transition training; according to Boeing not more that 3 days worth. Maintainance will take quite a bit more, but as often with new airplanes operators can receive training credits if they lease thru Boeing Capital Corp.
I would assume that Altas will lease and the initial expenses will all depend how you structure the deal. Adding a new aircraft to an existing AOC is relatively easy and will not cost much more than adding additional aircraft of the same type.
Spare parts will be the biggest expense since it would be hard to join a parts pool with such a new aircraft with a limited amount of initial operators (Cargolux, Emirates and Nippon)
The capital investment is significant but will be well worth it given the abilities of the aircraft and the significant cost advantages it can offer. I believe if Altas will not order them, someone else will and will become a major competitor in the ACMI business.
With fuel at this level, the traditional approach of cutting doors in 20 year old aircraft is no longer economical. Over the last 18 months the ACMI rates on the classics have dropped so much that it is near impossible to operate them in the black. Most lessors are willing to offer -400BCF's but on a 10 year operating lease. Why commit to an aircraft that will be old news when the -8 start flying?
LASPILOT