FEDEX SIGNS FOR TEN A380S BECOMES EIGHTH CUSTOMER TO FIRM ORDER SUPERJUMBO

16 July 2002

The Airbus A380 continued on its path of success with a signature of a contract by FedEx for ten firm orders plus ten options of the freighter version of the aircraft. FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation, will take its first delivery of the firm-ordered aircraft in 2008. In total, Airbus will deliver three A380F aircraft to FedEx in 2008, plus three in 2009 and 2010, and one in 2011. FedEx has not yet announced its engine selection.

On hand for today's announcement in Toulouse was FedEx Corporation Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Frederick W. Smith, and Airbus President and Chief Executive Officer Noël Forgeard. 

"This is a major milestone for FedEx on two counts," said Fred Smith. "The agreement secures the most efficient, long-range aircraft in the world for the future needs of the FedEx fleet and it reinforces our commitment to France which is the home of our European hub and thousands of FedEx employees at Charles de Gaulle airport."

"FedEx was one of 20 carriers that worked from the beginning with Airbus on the concept of the A380," said Noël Forgeard. "It's very rewarding to see that early participation in the programme result in the creation of an aircraft that our customers not just want, but order. FedEx is the third customer to place a firm order for the A380 freighter, which offers 20 percent lower tonne/mile costs than other freighters." 

The FedEx A380F will carry a freight load of 150 tonnes/330,000 pounds (with a cargo volume capacity of 40,000 cubic feet) a distance of nearly 6,000 nautical miles. These performance characteristics mean the A380F can cross the Pacific in a single flight, eliminating up to a day from door-to-door delivery time. 

The FedEx announcement preceded another milestone event at Airbus today celebrating the inauguration of the new site of A380 final assembly in Toulouse. 

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China and Japan. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE SYSTEMS.