ABX Air and Astar Air Cargo, the two main uplift providers for DHL Express in the USA, have orderednew planes to expand their cargo fleets.
ABX Air, the larger of the two airlines, said it has agreed to purchase from Air ChinaLimited a B767-200 extended-range aircraft that will be converted for cargo-only flights. Theairline will invest some $23 million in the acquisition and conversion of what will be its firstextended-range freighter.
ABX Air said it intends to use the B767 principally to support customers requiringlong-range, international lift capacity. It is expected to enter service for ABX Air’s charter/ACMIcustomers in the second quarter of 2008, becoming the 43rd 767 in ABX Air’s fleet of over 100aircraft.
“This investment in additional 767 lift capacity reflects our confidence in the growth andvitality of the air cargo market, particularly outside the United States,” ABX Air President andCEO Joe Hete said. “We continue to expand our presence in the ACMI charter industry, and lookforward to adding this aircraft to our 767s already deployed with ACMI customers serving the SouthAmerican and Asia/Pacific markets.”
Meanwhile, Astar Air Cargo announced it will purchase two DC-8-73 aircraft with long-rangecapabilities from the Bank of America’s leasing division. The aircraft are part of ASTAR’scurrent dedicated fleet assigned to DHL Express under a long-term ACMI agreement expiring in2019.
“ASTAR made the strategic decision to purchase these airplanes to enhance our position as aprovider of airlift services for our primary customer, DHL Express,” said Steven A. Rossum,Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ASTAR. “This newest acquisition of aircraftis consistent with our business growth strategy to lower our costs and enhance our competitiveness.”
