FedEx Signs Engine Purchase & Service Agreement For Airbus A380 Freighters

July 23, 2002

FARNBOROUGH, England - FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., (NYSE: FDX), has become the third customer to select the GE-P&W Engine Alliance’s GP7200. 



FedEx Express has signed a contract with the GE-P&W Engine Alliance for GP7200 series engines to power 10 firm Airbus A380-800F freighter aircraft. In addition, FedEx has signed a 20-year fleet management agreement with the Engine Alliance for the engines’ maintenance that begins in 2008. 



FedEx Express will take delivery of three A380 aircraft each in 2008, 2009, 2010 and one in 2011. 



“We are extremely gratified with the FedEx selection,” said Lloyd Thompson, president of the Engine Alliance. “It continues the excellent relationship FedEx already has with the Alliance’s parent companies, GE Aircraft Engines and Pratt & Whitney. It also recognizes the substantial benefits this engine will bring to the airplane in giving customers the best overall cost of ownership, proactive environmental compliance and best-in-class fuel burn.” 



“With two engineering leaders behind it, the engine’s superb specification and its projected performance are expected to meet the technical and operational needs of FedEx Express,” said Donald O. Barber, senior vice president of air operations, FedEx Express. 



To date, the GP7200 series engine is the only engine to have been selected for the freighter version of the A380. To date, firm orders for 42 A380s in both the passenger and freighter configurations have been purchased with GP7200 power. 



The GP7200 series engine is also the highest-thrust engine ordered for the A380, rated at 76,500 pounds take-off thrust to support A380 freighter payload and range requirements. The Engine Alliance is certifying a GP7200 version at 81,500 pounds take-off thrust to provide thrust margin for potential aircraft growth. 



Technology maturation programs will continue until later this year when the Engine Alliance begins detailed design work. The first full engine test is planned for March 2004, and joint certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European Joint Airworthiness Authorities is expected in July 2005.