FedEx orders 24 Boeing freighters
FedEx Express, the world’s largest air cargo carrier, has ordered 12 767 Freighters and 12 777 Freighters from Boeing.
The new airplanes are valued at $6.6 billion at list prices. This order…
FedEx Express, the world’s largest air cargo carrier, has ordered 12 767 Freighters and 12 777 Freighters from Boeing.
The new airplanes are valued at $6.6 billion at list prices. This order comes as the air cargo industry continues to gather strength. A year after demand grew by nearly 10 percent, global air freight is forecast to increase by another four to five percent in 2018, according to IATA.
Air cargo carriers are adding capacity to keep up with demand, either by converting passenger airplanes into freighters or ordering new production cargo jets.
With the latest order from FedEx Express, Boeing has sold more than 50 widebody freighters so far in 2018.
FedEx Express and Boeing have a long-standing partnership. The express carrier is a major operator of the Boeing 757 Freighter and the largest operator of the 767 Freighter and 777 Freighter. FedEx is also a customer of Boeing’s Global Services business.
The 767 Freighter, based on the 767-300ER (extended range) passenger jet, can carry approximately 58 tons of revenue cargo with intercontinental range.
The 777 Freighter is the world’s longest range twin-engine freighter. The jet can fly 4,900 nautical miles with a payload of 112 tons.
With the 777 Freighter, FedEx has been able to connect Asia with its hub in Memphis, Tennessee non-stop and reduce transit times by up to three hours. This has enabled FedEx to accept packages later in the day and still deliver them on time.
The 777 Freighter also uses 18% less fuel compared to the airplanes it replaces, and provides quieter take-offs and landings that meet airport noise standards, Boeing says.
Fleet modernisation
“We are taking another positive step in our fleet modernisation programme as we add more efficient, lower emission aircraft to our global fleet,” said David L. Cunningham, President and CEO of FedEx Express.
“The Boeing 767 and 777 Freighters have brought greater efficiency and reliability to our air operations. The 777, with its tremendous range characteristics, has allowed us to provide faster transit times around the globe. We are excited to add more of these aircraft to our fleet.”
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