FedEx reveals deal for ten additional ATR 72-600F freighters
FedEx has confirmed an order for ten ATR 72-600Fs, due for delivery between 2027 and 2029, building on its previous commitment of 30 aircraft. These will be allocated to “critical feeder operations, playing a vital role in the company’s coverage of smaller markets,” explained ATR.
“The only in-production regional freighter on the market, the ATR 72-600F incorporates the latest technology incorporate in the ATR-600 series while being specifically designed for cargo operations,” ATR continued. With a payload of 9.2 tonnes, the aircraft can hold up to 75 cubic metres of cargo, aided by nine vertical nets, floor-mounted attachments points and lateral tracks. FedEx’s ‘feeder fleet’ is comprised of aircraft under 60,000lbs of maximum gross takeoff weight.
The new ATR 72-600Fs will continue to replace FedEx’s legacy ATRs, with the dedicated freighter variant – the only in-production regional freighter available – “offering significant advantages over traditional passenger-to-freighter conversions, including enhanced reliability and availability, and longer-term planning,” commented senior vice president commercial of ATR Alexis Vidal.
These ten aircraft are part of a previously undisclosed order from 2024 released by ATR last month, and form part of 56 units ordered within the year. Overall, orders were up 40% year-on-year. FedEx’s original purchase agreement for 30 units was made in November 2017, with an option for 20 more, which forms the basis for this deal.
