DHL Extends Boeing 767 Freighter Fleet

Global logistics giant DHL Express and Boeing agreed to a firm order for nine Boeing 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters to add to the eight already on order, the companies said Monday at the Dubai Airshow. Boeing has already handed over seven of those aircraft, all of which now operate with DHL partner airlines in the Middle East and Latin America.

“We are confident in the quality and OEM expertise that comes with Boeing’s converted freighters,” said Geoff Kehr, senior v-p global air fleet management for DHL. “The additional 767 freighters are part of our efforts to modernize DHL’s long-haul intercontinental fleet in order to fly eco-friendlier and more cost-efficiently.”

The latest order represents the largest yet for the 767-300BCF, of which Boeing has collected orders for more than 100. Boeing claims that it is the most efficient medium widebody converted freighter, offering the capability of moving a 51.6-tonne payload over 3,345 nm with the lowest operating costs per trip.

In other DHL news, the company has begun reorganizing its European fleet. As part of this reshuffle, the 23 Boeing 757 freighters operated by DHL Air UK are moving to a new entity, DHL Air Austria, which began operations on November 9. The East Midlands-based UK division now focuses on intercontinental operations with the 767 and will shortly add the 777F. DHL’s other European subsidiary—Leipzig-based European Air Transport—operates a fleet of 757Fs and Airbus A300Fs and A330Fs. A number of third-party carriers in Europe also operate as part of the DHL network.