Max Kingsley-Jones/LONDON
UPS Airlines has chosen the Airbus A300-600 for its long-awaited widebody regional freighter requirement, with a deal for up to 100 aircraft, including 40 new build examples.
The deal, which was won over a several bidders, including Boeing, provides a vital boost to the flagging A300 order backlog.
The order has not been confirmed by either party, but is expected to include orders and options for 20 to 40 new A300-600Fs worth over $3 billion. Deliveries will get under way next year.
The US express parcels airline is understood to have a requirement for up to 60 more A300-600s which would be sourced from the second-hand passenger market and converted. A300 freighter conversion specialists, Daimler-Benz Aerospace Airbus and British Aerospace Aviation Services, were involved in the Airbus bidding process.
The A300-600 bid was selected over Boeing offers including the McDonnell Douglas DC-10/MD-10, Boeing MD-11 and Boeing 767 freighter. The last two bids are thought to have included new and used aircraft. The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar was also a candidate, with the UK's Marshall Aerospace pitching a package to convert Delta Air Lines' large fleet.
The A300/A310 production line in Toulouse has been operating on a build-to-order basis recently, with the backlog dropping to little over 20 and output running at less than one a month.
Airbus is anxious to keep the line active until an expected resurgence in demand early in the next century. Ten of the A300s on backlog are the remainder of 35 -600Fs ordered by UPS rival FedEx.
Source: Flight International
