With an upsurge of cargo aircraft commitments, presumably at heavy discounts, both the Airbus A330 and Boeing 767 production lines will keep going until at least 2012. The A330 will eventually be replaced by the all new XWB, whilst Boeing”s 787 is now well on the way with the first flight due in July of this year.
United Parcel Service has ordered 27 Boeing 767-300ER freighter aircraft as part of its fleet replacement plan, helping the company keep up with strong growth in its international business. The aircraft are to be delivered between 2009 and 2012. UPS said the order was not related to its review of its order for 10 Airbus A380 freighters, now the only cargo commitment for the super jumbo.
Airbus has now officially launched the A330F with US-based aviation investment firm Guggenheim Aviation Partners, LLC (GAP), acting on behalf of one of its investment funds (the first to commit). Deliveries are expected to commence in early 2010. MNG Airlines, a Turkish cargo operator, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for two A330-200F. A military tanker of the A330 is also planned.