FedEx will be first with new freighter

FEDEX EXPRESS 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, according to a company spokesman. 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. 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 join the fleet in coming years. The A380 Freighter, which has a range of about 6 000 nautical miles (11 100 kilometres), will have ton/mile costs that are expected to be approximately 15 to 20% lower than the MD-11 - the company’s largest aircraft.