FedEx Express has placed a new order for an additional 12 Boeing 767 Freighters and 12 777 Freighters, valued at US$6.6 billion at list prices.

“We are taking another positive step in our fleet modernization programme as we add more efficient, lower-emission aircraft to our global fleet,” said David L. Cunningham, president and CEO of FedEx Express. “The Boeing 767 and 777 Freighters have brought greater efficiency and reliability to our air operations. The 777, with its tremendous range characteristics, has allowed us to provide faster transit times around the globe. We are excited to add more of these aircraft to our fleet.”

After having grown by almost 10% in 2017, global air freight demand is on track to increase by another 4-5% in 2018. The rise in demand has been prompting cargo carriers to add capacity by either converting passenger airplanes into freighters or ordering new production cargo aircraft. Including this latest order, Boeing has sold more than 50 widebody freighters so far in 2018.

“We are honoured that FedEx has again placed its trust on the wings of the Boeing 767 and 777,” said Kevin McAllister, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This repeat order is a big vote of confidence in Boeing’s market-leading freighter family and the long-term outlook for air freight.”

The express carrier is a major operator of the 757F and the largest operator of both the 767F and the 777F. FedEx is also a customer of Boeing’s Global Services business.

The 767F is based on the 767-300ER and can carry approximately 52.7 tonnes of revenue cargo, while the 777F can fly 4,900 nautical miles with a payload of 102 tonnes.

Boeing announced in April 2018 that it would be increasing the production rate on the 767F programme from 2.5/month to 3/month starting in 2020, based on the strength of the air cargo market.