FedEx Express has dealt a further blow to the troubled Airbus A380 programme by cancelling its $2.3billion (EUR 1.8 billion) order for 10 A380 freighters and opting instead to order 15 Boeing 777
freighters for its future fleet growth. It could increase the order to 30 B777Fs if it takes up anoption for a further 15.In a statement announcing the Boeing order, FedEx Express clearly signalled it could not waitfor Airbus to sort out the production problems for the A380 – reportedly two years behind schedule.It noted that “the decision to purchase the 777s was made after Airbus announced significant delaysin delivery of the A380”. The first of the A380 freighters was originally scheduled for delivery in2008.
“Global demand for air cargo and express services continues to grow rapidly and FedEx hasmade significant investments in our network to meet customers’ needs and fulfil our businessobjectives. Therefore, it was necessary and prudent for us to acquire the Boeing 777 freighter,”said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx chairman and CEO.
“The availability and delivery timing of this aircraft, coupled with its attractive payloadrange and economics, make this choice the best decision for FedEx, its customers, shareowners andemployees,” he added.
But FedEx pointed out that it was still Airbus’ largest wide-body aeroplane customer andwould add “additional new and used Airbus wide-body aircraft to its fleet in coming years.” Six newAirbus A300-600s are scheduled to join the FedEx fleet in 2007.
Airbus announced the latest round of delays in completion of the “mega-freighter” at thestart of October, citing problems with the plane’s wiring.
The first A380 passenger aircraft will not be delivered until October 2007. Thirteen morewill be delivered in 2008 and 25 in 2009, according to the EADS company, while the industrialramp-up will not be completed until 2010 when 45 A380s are to be rolled out, according to a revisedplan.
The other main US courier, UPS, is currently reconsidering its $2.5 billion (EUR 1.96billion) order for 10 A380s and last month set up an evaluation team to report on the problem.Emirates, Qantas and the US leasing firm International Lease Finance Corp. have also said they arekeeping options open regarding the status of their orders.
The Boeing 777 freighter is the world’s largest twin-engine cargo aircraft with a range ofmore than 6,100 nautical miles and a revenue payload capacity of 171,000 pounds. This represents a2,200 nautical mile increase in range and an additional 8,500 pounds of revenue payload over theMD-11F, FedEx’s primary long-haul aircraft.
The improvements offered by the 777 will result in more non-stop, point-to-point transoceanicroutes with shorter flight times, enabling improved service offers for customers, said FedEx. Itexpects to take delivery of four of the 777s in 2009, eight in 2010 and the remaining three in2011.
“The Boeing 777F will allow FedEx Express to fly directly between major markets and hubs inAsia, Europe and the U.S. with more freight and in less time than it takes today, improving fuelefficiency and lowering total operating costs,” said David J. Bronczek, CEO of FedEx Express.
