Dubai Airshow: ATR in deal with FedEx Express

ATR comes to the show basking in the glow of last-week's major order, a deal for a minimum of 30 ATR 72-600F freighters for US small package specialist FedEx Express.
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The ATR 72-600F is a new version of the Franco-Italian turboprop and the first to be built from the outset as a freighter on the Toulouse production line – all previous ATR freighters have been conversions from passenger versions.

Developed in cooperation with FedEx Express, it will have a newly designed windowless fuselage with a reinforced floor, large forward cargo door and a rear upper hinged cargo door. It will carry seven LD3 containers or up to nine 88in by 62in pallets.

FedEx Express already operates smaller ATR 42 -200 and -300 plus older ATR 72-500s in the cargo role.

The first of the 30 new aircraft will be delivered in 2020; FedEx Express has also taken a further 20 options.