Source: ATW Daily News Author: 08/01/2008
Subject Concerned: Aircraft Cargo
On Jul. 31, FedEx Express launched revenue service with the first of 12 757-200 converted freighters it is scheduled to add over the next year, starting eight-times-weekly flights between Memphis and Washington National, its first service to DCA. The 757F is the first of the type to enter the delivery giant's fleet.
It is investing US$2.6 billion to replace its 90 727-200Fs with 90 757Fs and last year inked a deal with Singapore Technologies Aerospace covering 87 757-200 passenger-to-freighter conversions over seven years. ST Mobile Aerospace Engineering in Alabama is performing the conversion work, valued at US$450-US$470 million over the life of the contract.
"Our plans to replace the Boeing 727 aircraft with more efficient Boeing 757s allow us to aggressively upgrade our fleet while reducing our overall long-term energy investment," Senior VP-Air Operations Jim Parker said. FedEx said the 757 will consume 36% less fuel while providing 20% more capacity than the 727. Transition is expected to be complete by 2016.