Options Converted To Firm Orders

Freight delivery company FedEx announced the exercise of options it held for an additional eight Boeing 777F freight aircraft, as it also revealed a new order for ten ATR72 turboprop freighters. FedEx also said it will delay the retirement date of its McDonnell Douglas MD-11 trijets another four years to 2029.

Under the current announcement, FedEx says it expects to take delivery of three of the new 777Fs in 2026 and the remaining five in 2026. A financial filing by FedEx confirmed the company converted the options to orders in early March 2025.

The filing also stated, “We have several aircraft modernization programs underway that are supported by the purchase of 777Fs and 767-300Fs.”

The additional 777F aircraft in the fleet will substantially expand its commitment to the aircraft as it modernizes and standardizes its widebody fleet.

By introducing modern aircraft like the 777F and the 767-300F into its fleet, FedEx will realize significantly better fuel efficiency per fuel unit as the company searches for ways to reduce costs and streamline operations over the coming months and years.

The 777F will enable FedEx to at least grow market share rather than simply wait for the next-generation Airbus A350F and the Boeing 777-8F to enter service. Until the company commits to one, or both, aircraft, the current batch of aircraft will serve its purposes in the meantime.

FedEx now operates a total fleet of 415 aircraft, a very large number even with 39 in storage and 39 more on order. The company’s biggest commitment now is to its Boeing 767-300F, of which 134 are in active service with an average age of 5.9 years.

The options exercised on the 777F mean that FedEx operates 66 777Fs with an average age of 9.4 years.

FMI:  www.fedex.com/