HONG KONG, January 17, 2005 - FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), announced today that it will be first to take delivery of the giant Airbus A380-800F in August 2008 and the first to deploy the plane in service for its global customers.
“The A380 will play a significant role in our ongoing efforts to expand our networks and broaden our range of services,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corp. “With its ability to provide greater network capacity with lower direct operating costs, the A380 will facilitate even more global trade, and the ultimate beneficiaries will be our customers, and future customers, around the world.”
Delivery of the first A380 cargo plane will be followed by two more by the end of 2008, three more in 2009, three in 2010 and the 10th in 2011. FedEx also holds options for 10 additional aircraft.
“Manufacturers and suppliers already know that FedEx has the best network to help them benefit from the growing global economy. The addition of the A380 freighter further strengthens our capabilities to connect the world’s supply chain to the global marketplace,” Smith said.
During the first year of operation, the three FedEx planes will operate on long-range routes between FedEx hubs in Asia and North America. Additional routes from Europe to North America and Europe to Asia will be added as more aircraft are added to the fleet in coming years.
The A380 is capable of flying more than 330,000 lbs. (150 metric tons) within 40,000 cubic feet (1,100 cubic meters), and provides significantly lower direct operating costs than today’s largest flying aircraft. The A380 Freighter, which has a range of about 6,000 nautical miles (11,100 kilometers), will have ton/mile costs that are expected to be approximately 15 to 20 percent lower than the MD-11 - the company’s largest aircraft.
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with the broadest portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $27 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx and Kinko’s brands. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 250,000 employees and contractors to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit fedex.com.
About FedEx Express
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., connects areas that generate 90% of the world’s gross domestic product in one to three business days with door-to-door, customs-cleared service and a money-back guarantee. The company’s unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world’s largest express transportation company, providing fast, reliable and time-definite transportation of approximately 3.1 million packages to more than 220 countries and territories each working day. FedEx Express employs more than 137,000 employees and has approximately 50,000 drop-off locations, 649 aircraft and approximately 42,000 motorized vehicles in its integrated global network.