GEOFF THOMAS
The long-awaited and much-heralded announcement that FedEx Express has become the third customer to select the GE-P&W Engine Alliance's GP7200 to power its fleet of 10 Airbus A380-800F freighters has been made at Farnborough.
FedEx Express signed a contract for the engines and also a 20-year fleet management agreement with the Alliance for the engines' maintenance, beginning in 2008.
FedEx Express will take delivery of three A380s each in 2008-2010, followed by the final one in 2011.
Engine Alliance president Lloyd Thompson says he is extremely gratified with FedEx's selection of the GP7200. "It continues the excellent relationship FedEx already has with the Alliance's parent companies, GE and Pratt & Whitney. It also recognises the substantial benefits this engine will bring to the A380 in giving customers the best overall cost of ownership, proactive environmental compliance and best-in-class fuel burn."
Donald Barber, FedEx Express' senior vice-president of air operations, says the engine's projected performance and specification are expected to meet the technical and operational needs of his company.
Detailed design work on the Alliance engine is due to begin later this year. The first full engine test is planned for March 2004 with joint certification by the US FAA and European JAA expected in July 2005.
Source: Flight Daily News
