Andy Douse/DUBAI
DHL Worldwide Express has bought two purpose-built Boeing 757F-200 freighters from Ansett Worldwide Aviation Services (AWAS).
The deal, which was signed here at the airshow, is worth more than $60 million. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in January and March 2000 and will be the first B757Fs to enter service in the Europe and Africa network.
Operation
The aircraft are part of a planned fleet acquisition programme totalling 44 Boeing 757 freighters.
DHL has been operating an AWAS Boeing 757F under wet lease since April 1996 on its daily services from Dubai to Bahrain and Brussels.
Under the purchase agreement, the current B757F assigned to the route will be bought by DHL and transferred to its European network.
Agreement
As an integral part of the purchase agreement, DHL will wet lease an AWAS replacement B757F to continue service on this route.
"The proven reliability during the last three years of operation has surpassed even the most optimistic projections on operational performance," says Geoff Kehr, DHL Middle East operations director.
"DHL customers in the Middle East and Europe have a unique service advantage as a direct result of this flight."
Source: Flight Daily News
