ATR 72-600. Photo: TransAsia
FedEx Express is ready to modernize its fleet of feeder aircraft. The company said it has completed a purchase agreement with ATR to purchase up to 50 aircraft.
The agreement says that FedEx Express agrees to a firm purchase of 30 ATR 72-600Fs, with an option to purchase up to 20 more. Delivery would begin in 2020. From there, about six aircraft each year would be delivered over a five-year period.
“The purchase of new, more advanced feeder aircraft like the ATR 72-600F is the next step in our very successful fleet modernization strategy, which has helped us greatly improve our fuel efficiency and fleet reliability in recent years,” said David L. Cunningham, president and CEO of FedEx Express. “We worked closely with ATR, which developed this new aircraft with special features to help us grow our business, especially in the air freight market where shipments are larger and heavier.”
FedEx Express said its aircraft would feature:
- A forward large cargo door and a rear upper-hinged cargo door
- Digital cockpits
- Advanced avionics technology and enhanced take-off performance
- ADS-B Out capabilities
The operator deploys more than 300 feeder aircraft in 45 countries. Overall, the company operates more than 360 aircraft, including Boeing 777s, B767s and B757s; MD11s and MD10s; and Airbus 300s and Airbus 310s.