FedEx Express Introduces New Feeder Aircraft
November 28 2017 - 5:19AM
Business Wire
Modernization of feeder fleet continues with
Cessna SkyCourier 408 designed for FedEx
FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX),
announced today it has entered into a purchase agreement with
Textron Aviation, Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, that
will continue the modernization of the company’s fleet of feeder
aircraft.
FedEx Express has agreed to purchase 50 clean-sheet design
Cessna SkyCourier 408 aircraft, with options to purchase up to 50
additional aircraft. Delivery of the first aircraft is expected in
mid-2020, with subsequent deliveries on a schedule of one aircraft
per month over a four-year period.
“This continues our very successful fleet modernization
strategy, which improves our fuel efficiency, reliability and
operating costs,” said David L. Cunningham, President and CEO,
FedEx Express. “We worked closely with Textron Aviation to develop
the Cessna SkyCourier 408, which includes several key features that
will help us grow our business in small and medium-sized markets,
especially in the air freight segment.”
Cessna SkyCourier 408 key features:
- twin-engine, high-wing turboprop
- digital cockpit
- aft Large Cargo Door (LCD)
- flat floor cabin equipped to handle up
to three LD3 containers and a 6,000 lb. maximum payload
The Cessna SkyCourier 408 will be assembled by Textron Aviation
in Wichita, Kansas. The twin-engine, high-wing turboprop has almost
twice the volumetric capacity of the single engine Cessna Caravan
208 currently in the FedEx Express feeder fleet. Unlike FedEx’s
current feeder aircraft, the aircraft has a large 87” x 69” cargo
door, which will support container and pallet operations. The large
cargo doors will help FedEx to provide even faster service to air
freight customers who ship to or from smaller markets in its
network.
Earlier this month, FedEx announced the purchase of 30 ATR
72-600F aircraft with the option to purchase up to 20 more as a
first step to modernizing the company’s feeder fleet. “These
aircraft purchases are part of our long-term feeder fleet
strategy,” said Greg Hall, Executive Vice President of Air
Operations, FedEx Express. “That strategy will not only improve our
fuel efficiency and fleet reliability, but thanks to a
collaborative training program we are planning, will create a
reliable pipeline of well-qualified pilot applicants for FedEx
Express pilot jobs, leveraging the experience they will gain in our
feeder system.”
The FedEx Express Feeder network is a strategic component of the
overall global linehaul network, serving markets too small for
direct FedEx Express air linehaul service and markets where FedEx
Express does not have operating rights. The Feeder network is
composed of more than 300 aircraft serving 45 countries. Most of
these feeder aircraft are owned by FedEx and are leased and
operated by different third-party air carriers under their own
operating certificates. The FedEx feeder fleet is comprised of
aircraft under 60,000 pounds maximum gross take-off weight, and
allows the company to provide fast, economical service to small and
medium-sized markets around the world.
The FedEx feeder fleet complements the company’s jet fleet of
over 360 aircraft, including Boeing 777s, B767s and B757s, MD11s,
MD10s, Airbus 300s and Airbus 310s.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation
company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220
countries and territories. FedEx Express uses a global
air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive
shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back
guarantee*.
*Subject to relevant terms and conditions.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses
worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and
business services. With annual revenues of $61 billion, the company
offers integrated business applications through operating companies
competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the
respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most
admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 400,000
team members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety,
the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of
their customers and communities. To learn more about how FedEx
connects people and possibilities around the world, please visit
about.fedex.com.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171128005683/en/
FedEx Corp.Media Relations:Jonathan Lyons,
901-355-5306jonathanlyons@fedex.com
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