Boeing plans to increase the production rate on its 767 programme from 2.5 to 3/month starting in 2020.

Announcing its first-quarter results, Boeing said that the decision reflects the strength of the cargo market.

Boeing currently only produces the freighter version of the 767. The company has already delivered 136 767-300Fs and has 63 in the backlog, including 56 for FedEx Express, four for UPS and three that are unidentified.

The last passenger 767-300ER was delivered in 2014 to Air Astana.

The 767F has a maximum payload of approximately 53 tonnes and a range of 3,255 nautical miles, according to Boeing.