Delivering the first ATR 72-600F
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp, has taken delivery of the first purpose-built turboprop regional freighter in its fleet. This follows the company’s 2017 signing of a firm order for 30 aircraft, with the option to purchase 20 more. The aircraft will arrive at Shannon airport and will be operated by ASL Airlines Ireland, a FedEx ATR operator since 2000, as part of its feeder fleet.
The purpose-built freighter’s fuselage is optimised for cargo and has been delivered by the turboprop manufacturer’s Italian shareholder Leonardo, from its facility in Naples. The aircraft’s cargo door (3 m wide and 1.8 m high) enables the loading of 9 t payloads and offers the option of carrying either bulk cargo or, when in ULD mode, five 88” x 108” pallets, or seven LD3 containers. (ah)