FedEx grounding 14 Freighters

[ptbodale]

FedEx grounding 10 A310Fs, four MD-10Fs.

FedEx revealed in a regulatory filing this week that it will "permanently remove" 10 A310-200Fs and four MD-10Fs from service by May 31. "This decision reflects management's ongoing efforts to optimize the company's express network in light of continued excess aircraft capacity due to weak economic conditions and the expected delivery of newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft in fiscal year [2009-10]," it informed the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

FedEx will take a $180 million charge related to the retirements in its fiscal fourth quarter ending May 31. The delivery giant has 30 777Fs on order for delivery through 2018, the first three arriving this year. It also is replacing its 727-200Fs with at least 87 757-200 converted freighters by 2016. It said a "limited amount of the company's total aircraft capacity remains temporarily grounded because of network overcapacity." (Source: Air Transport World)

[rohank4284]

FedEx grounding 10 A310Fs, four MD-10Fs.

FedEx revealed in a regulatory filing this week that it will "permanently remove" 10 A310-200Fs and four MD-10Fs from service by May 31. "This decision reflects management's ongoing efforts to optimize the company's express network in light of continued excess aircraft capacity due to weak economic conditions and the expected delivery of newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft in fiscal year [2009-10]," it informed the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

FedEx will take a $180 million charge related to the retirements in its fiscal fourth quarter ending May 31. The delivery giant has 30 777Fs on order for delivery through 2018, the first three arriving this year. It also is replacing its 727-200Fs with at least 87 757-200 converted freighters by 2016. It said a "limited amount of the company's total aircraft capacity remains temporarily grounded because of network overcapacity." (Source: Air Transport World)

Good to see that FedEX is modernizing its fleet. Can't wait to see those Boeing 777F's in FedEX livery. Although I'm a little sad to see the Boeing 727 and DC/MD-10s go.

Regards,

Rohan

[chrisburns]

We have a Fedex plane that sits here for a few weeks in Grand Forks, then goes to heavy maint before going back to service, its then replaced by another 727 for a few weeks where it just sits and doesn't move as its dirt cheap for them to keep it here in GFK.

[B757300]

Odd they would remove MD-10s instead of the remaining DC-10s which haven't been upgraded to MD-10 configuration.

[rohank4284]

Odd they would remove MD-10s instead of the remaining DC-10s which haven't been upgraded to MD-10 configuration.

Does anyone have the numbers of MD-10s and DC-10s FedEX has? Also, do we know which, MD-10s are being removed. Could it be that these MD-10s may need servicing soon or are very old?

Regards,

Rohan

[FlyingPhotog]

On the freighter topic, Delta is grounding all 15 of the 747-200 freighters that came with the Northwest merger.

[Dmmoore]

Odd they would remove MD-10s instead of the remaining DC-10s which haven't been upgraded to MD-10 configuration.

I can not speak for FedEx but it's not that odd. There is a minimum number of aircraft needed to efficiently operate a schedule. Parking the DC-10 would cause a surplus of DC-10 crews and drop the number of operating aircraft below the minimum required for efficient operation. The DC-10 uses a three man flight crew. Retaining S/O's is vital until all aircraft are converted to "MD" configuration. The aircraft are being removed from service, not being scrapped. Some of the currently operating DC-10's may be scrapped instead of conversion but that is an option that has not been cast in stone.

The aircraft will receive maintenance checks before returning to service this fall if they are needed. Hopefully they will.

The 727's are being surplussed as the 757's come on line.