German-Owned Cargo Hauler Looks To Grow

Don't look now... but after years of lackluster sales, interest in Boeing's middling 767 widebody appears to be quietly rising. The American planemaker announced Thursday that cargo-hauler DHL agreed on an order for six 767-300ER (Extended Range) Freighters.

The order is valued at $894 million at list prices.

Boeing touts several benefits for its 767 Freighter, including excellent fuel efficiency, operational flexibility and low noise levels. The airplane also meets and exceeds international Chapter 3 noise requirements -- all important considerations for DHL, which is wholly owned by Bonn, Germany-based Deutsche Post World Net.

"Adding the wide-body 767 Freighter to our network allows us to grow our business considerably," said John Mullen, CEO DHL Express. "This acquisition will support the DHL Express strategy with particular emphasis on renewing and updating the network supporting operations that serve the US market."

DHL is currently a solid number 3 in the US, behind UPS and FedEx... and is striving to expand its overall leadership in the global express business.

In its annual World Air Cargo Forecast, Boeing predicts a market demand over the next 20 years of 841 airplanes in the 767-size, medium wide-body category -- of which 244 will be new production freighters. Since the 767 Freighter's launch in 1993, seven customers have ordered a total of 83 airplanes.

"DHL's high-volume express operations require a freighter that has proven capabilities in terms of utilization and schedule reliability. The 767 Freighter has exactly those attributes," said Marlin Dailey, vice president Sales for Europe, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Boeing's complete line of freighter airplanes allows us to offer our customers the right product to match their needs."

Boeing offers a complete line of production and conversion freighters, ranging in size from the standard body of 18 tonnes (Boeing 737-700 Convertible) and under 45 tonnes (757 Freighter) to medium wide-bodies such as the 767 (40-75 tonnes) and large freighters over 75 tonnes, such as the Boeing 777 and 747.

FMI: www.dhl.com, www.boeing.com