50th FedEx Airbus freighter conversion at EADS EFW
Dresden, 16 October 2002
On the occasion of the 50th Airbus freighter conversion for US-based express transportation company FedEx Express (Federal Express Inc.), EADS EFW organizes today a gala ceremony in its conversion facility in Dresden, Germany.
The EADS EFW relationship with FedEx started in the early nineties with the preparation of the first Airbus freighter conversion for FedEx. This aircraft, an A310-200, was delivered to FedEx in 1994. Seven years later, in 2001, FedEx took over both prototypes of the next widebody conversion generation, the A310-300 and A300-600. As of today, FedEx is operating a total of 49 EADS-converted freighter aircraft, 44 A310-200, three A300-600 and two A310-300. The 50th Airbus aircraft, an A300-600 (MSN 358), which is currently under conversion at EFW, will be delivered to FedEx in January 2003.
“Ten years ago, FedEx looked closely at all the alternatives and found that the converted A310-200 was the most cost-effective aircraft for our medium-range domestic routes. A few years later, FedEx made the same decision for the A310-300 and A300-600. Our in-service experience with the aircraft has confirmed that it was the right decision for us,” said Thomas E. Bodamer, managing director of aircraft conversions, FedEx Express.
“It is a source of great pride and honour for EADS EFW that FedEx, which insists on the best, has always renewed its confidence in Airbus aircraft and in our conversion solution”, said Jürgen Habermann, EFW’s VP Sales & Marketing. “We thank FedEx for the long-standing relationship and confidence shown to us which we understand as a challenge”.
As of today, EADS has delivered a total of 95 converted Airbus freighter aircraft to 18 customers worldwide, 44 A310-200, 37 A300B4, 11 A310-300 and 3 A300-600. All aircraft have been converted under OEM-rules (Original Equipment Manufacturer), using a maximum number of common parts from the corresponding Airbus freighter production. EADS EFW has a backlog of 26 Airbus wide body cargo conversions over the next few years. These numbers prove the EADS EFW’s path of success of the Airbus freighter conversion programme.
EFW (Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH), headquartered in Dresden, Germany, is the responsible partner for Airbus freighter conversion within EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V.
For further information please contact:
EADS EFW
Cornelia von Ammon
Phone: +49 351 8839 2169
Fax: +49 351 8839 2178
Email: Cornelia.von.Ammon@efw.eads.net
Internet: www.efw.eads.net
