TNT Airways has agreed to lease three new Boeing 777-200 Long Range Freighters from GuggenheimAviation Partners. The first aircraft will be delivered and enter service by July 2011, with the
other two expected to enter service by the end of next year.The B777 freighters will operate on long-haul routes between Europe and Asia. On theseroutes, TNT currently operates a fleet of two owned B747-400ERFs and two B747-400ERFs on short-termlease. The new B777 freighters will reduce TNT’s reliance on commercial line-haul and externalshort-term contract capacity, while providing the capacity required to support the company’s growthin Asia.
The B777 freighter offers a maximum payload of 107 tons compared to the 117 tons payload of aB747, but the superior range capability of the B777 means it can carry more payload than a B747over distances greater than 13,000 km.
“We are delighted to have concluded this agreement with Guggenheim for these aircraft and weare thrilled by the prospect of introducing the new type in our fleet,” said Niky Terzakis,managing director of TNT Global Air Network. “Like the B747, the B777 is a mature and verysuccessful product and the most fuel efficient freighter aircraft available, while offering nearequivalent performance to our B747 capacity. Its performance and versatility are just excellent forthe type of long haul service we operate. These aircraft will equally have a positive impact on CO2emissions while we are growing our business and network.”
Rival express operator FedEx recently began operating the first of 15 B777 freighters that itordered in 2006. Earlier this year FedEx also added a further 15 B777 freighters to its order.
