FedEx Using 777Fs To Capture International Marketshare

xiao3316 · 发表于 2011-6-15 13:30:45

FedEx is using its growing fleet of Boeing 777Fs “opportunistically” to capture share in emerging international markets, Michael Ducker, chief operating officer and president-international at FedEx Express, said last week when the express package carrier exhibited its newest 777 freighter at Washington Dulles International Airport.
The aircraft, delivered to FedEx June 3, is the 12th of an expected fleet of 44 777Fs by 2019.
FedEx took delivery of its first 777F, which is based on the Boeing 777-200LR, in October 2009 and began service with the aircraft in January 2010 in the Shanghai-Memphis market. Since then, it has launched 777F service to Memphis, its world hub, from Hong Kong, Osaka, Shenzhen and London Stansted, from Memphis to Seoul, and between Hong Kong and Paris. The aircraft also is flying from the U.S. to the United Arab Emirates and on to Delhi. Paul Cassell, senior VP-flight operations at FedEx Express, said the 777F now is considered the workhorse of the FedEx fleet.
“Adding the 777s has enabled us to grow our international business and to capture a greater share of emerging markets,” Ducker said. Because of the 777F’s range, which the carrier puts at 5,800 nm., FedEx says it can operate nonstops in the Shenzhen-Memphis market, which can mean departing Shenzhen up to two hours later than competitors, giving customers an extra two hours of production during the day.
After cancelling its order for Airbus A380Fs because Airbus couldn’t produce the aircraft to meet FedEx’s timetable, the express carrier ordered the twin-engine 777F as a replacement for its fleet of three-engine MD-11s. As the 777Fs come on line, the MD-11s can be repurposed, Ducker said. According to FedEx data, the 777F, which is powered by GE90-110 engines, has a range of 5,800 nm. and a revenue payload capacity of 178,000 lb., which represent a 2,100-nm. and 14,000-lb. improvement over the MD-11 while burning 18% less fuel.
Ducker was coy about whether FedEx would consider ordering a larger aircraft, such as the Airbus A380F or the new Boeing 747-8F. “Our fleet is continually under review,” he said. “However, we’re quite happy with what the 777 is providing.”