FedEx Express has completed the donation of two ATR 42 aircraft to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport Fire Rescue Department in Spain. The aircraft, registered as EI-FXE and EI-FXA, are already in place at the airport where the firefighters will carry out routine training practice using the two retired airframes donated.
The donation of the two ATR 42 aircraft coincides with the addition of new ATR 72-600F aircraft to the FedEx Express fleet. In November 2017, FedEx Express formalized the purchase of 30 new aircraft which introduce improved performance and efficiency to the FedEx Express fleet.
The initiative of donating aircraft at their end of their life supports the Reduce, Replace, Revolutionize approach FedEx applies to sustainability. These two aircraft will go on to serve as valuable educational and training resources and mark the 97th and 98th aircraft donated by FedEx under this program since 2000.
“As FedEx Express continues to modernize its fleet to meet the needs of a growing network, this donation program is a remarkable way to ensure our retired aircraft go on to have a purposeful second life. By offering a valuable training resource to airport fire departments we’re able to support aviation safety and specifically the Fire Department of the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, where we operate,” said Ian Silverton, managing director Ground Operations, FedEx Express, Spain.
During their operational life, these aircraft were operated by ASL Airlines Ireland, as part of the FedEx Express Feeder fleet. The first of these, registered as EI-FXE, was in service for 28 years, 16 of which were spent moving parcels to destinations throughout the FedEx Express European network. The second aircraft, registered as EI-FXA, was in the FedEx Express fleet since 2004. In addition to their highly reliable performance, both aircraft also house powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW121 engines.
Fleet modernization is part of the FedEx Express continued commitment to increase operational efficiency, while decreasing emissions and minimizing impact on the environment. This initiative serves as one example of the FedEx Express commitment to circularity, supporting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 12 ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’ as a focus area of sustainable operations.