FedEx orders Boeing 777 and ATR cargo aircraft, delays MD-11 retirements

FedEx Corp. has exercised options to purchase eight additional Boeing 777 freighters from Boeing and pushed back retirement of the tri-engine MD-11 fleet in response to rising demand for international nonparcel freight service, the company said in third-quarter results.

On Friday, Toulouse, France-based ATR, a manufacturer of regional aircraft, announced that FedEx (NYSE: FDX) will acquire 10 extra ATR 72-600 turboprop freighter aircraft, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2029.

FedEx...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-orders-boeing-777-and-atr-cargo-aircraft-delays-md-11-retirements

Custom-built ATR 72-600 gives FedEx more cargo capacity

A white FedEx propeller plane flies on clear day, with ground visible below.

FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX) said Tuesday it has taken delivery of its first custom-built turbo-prop freighter. Built by Toulouse, France-based ATR for regional service, the investment furthers FedEx’s fleet modernization program. 

The ATR 72-600 production freighter will be used to feed cargo from smaller communities to larger airports where FedEx operates. The fuel-efficient aircraft will be operated out of Shannon Airport by FedEx Express contractor ASL Airlines Ireland, which also flies on...

https://s29755.pcdn.co/news/new-custom-built-atr-72-600-gives-fedex-more-cargo-capacity

New FedEx feeder freighter passes first test flight (with video)

A twin-engine, turboprop plane coming in for landing with wheels retracted. The ATR 72-600 is popular with many regional airlines.

ATR moved a step closer this month to fulfilling an order from FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX) for its new turboprop freighter, which will operate on regional routes to smaller towns and cities.

The aircraft manufacturer, a joint venture between Airbus and Leonardo based in Toulouse, France, said the ATR 72-600 production freighter successfully completed its first test flight on the island of Saint-Martin. During the two-hour flight, the crew performed tests to measure the aircraft’s operational...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-fedex-feeder-freighter-passes-first-test-flight-with-video