FedEx Express To Acquire 27 767 Freighters, Two 777 Freighters

Shipping company FedEx Express is set to acquire 29 new Boeing airplanes, after placing an order Wednesday for 27 767-300 Freighters and exercising existing options for two additional 777 Freighters.

"FedEx Express is one of the industry's premier air-freight carriers. The way they have operated the 777 has demonstrated to the world its capabilities as a freighter. We are excited they have chosen to further expand their 777 fleet," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh. "We're also looking forward to seeing the 767 join FedEx's lineup of airplanes. The 767 is a proven freighter and this order constitutes a strong vote of confidence for its capabilities. It is an airplane that we will be building for decades."

The new 777 Freighters will support FedEx's growth in the international cargo market. The 767 Freighter will be a new model for the Memphis, Tenn.-based freight carrier's fleet of more than 690 airplanes. The addition of the 767 Freighters will enable FedEx to replace its less efficient, medium widebody cargo airplanes with freighters that provide fuel, maintenance and other cost savings.

"The 767-300 Freighter will be a great complement to our freighter fleet," said David J. Bronczek, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Express. "The 767 freighter, with its solid efficiency among medium widebody cargo airplanes, is an ideal solution to support our strategy of providing fast and reliable delivery to every U.S. address and to more than 220 countries and territories."

The 767 Freighter is based on the popular 767-300ER (extended range) passenger airplane. Able to carry approximately 58 tons (52.7 tonnes) of revenue cargo with intercontinental range, the 767-300 Freighter is ideal for developing new long-haul, regional or feeder markets.

The 777 Freighter is the world's longest range twin-engine freighter that can fly 4,900 nautical miles (9,070 kilometers) with a full payload. FedEx is the largest operator of 777 freighters with 17 aircraft in operation and with orders and options for an additional 41 aircraft.

This order builds on a record year for the 777 program bringing the 2011 net order total to 200 airplanes. (Image provided by Boeing)

FMI: www.fedex.com, www.boeing.com