FedEx Express continues to restructure its air fleet by agreeing to buy 19 additional B767-300 aircraft from The Boeing Company to improve the efficiency and technology of its air fleet.
The 19 767s will be delivered from fiscal 2015 to 2019 and replace the current MD-10 and A310-200 aircraft, a company statement said. “The 767s are substantially more fuel efficient and reliable than the aircraft they will replace.”
The 767s have a similar capacity to the MD-10s, but are about 30 percent more fuel efficient and 20 percent less costly to operate, the U.S.-based company added. They also increase efficiency by sharing spare parts, tooling, and flight simulators with the Boeing 757s which are part of the freight forwarder’s air fleet.
“FedEx Express is positioning itself for more profitable growth by modernizing its aircraft fleet and better aligning its U.S. domestic air network to match current and anticipated shipment volumes,” said David J. Bronczek, president and chief executive officer of FedEx Express.
The purchase deal is in addition to an agreement with Boeing announced in December 2011 to buy 27 new 767s for delivery between fiscal 2014 and 2018 and delay delivery of a number of 777s.
FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company, currently operates 19 long-range 777 freighters with a commitment to purchase an additional 24 more.
In June, it said it would have retired a total of 50 aircraft by the end of fiscal 2013.
Photo: Alaskan Dude
