FedEx takes world’s first ATR72-600 freighter

FedEx Express (FX, Memphis Int’l) took delivery of the world’s first ATR72-600F, Avions de Transport Régional’s only purpose-built dedicated freighter, on December 15, 2020. EI-GUL (msn 1653) was ferried from Toulouse Blagnac to Shannon on December 17, 2020. The aircraft will be operated on behalf of FedEx by ASL Airlines Ireland (ABR, Dublin Int’l), which has been a FedEx regional feeder in Europe since 2000. It is expected to commence revenue operations in early 2021. FedEx has a further twenty-nine ATR72-600Fs on firm order from the manufacturer. It also holds a further twenty options. According to the ch-aviation fleets advanced module, ASL Airlines Ireland also operates fourteen other ATR turboprops on behalf of FedEx Express – three ATR42-300(F)s and eleven ATR72-500(F)s. Sister carriers ASL Airlines Belgium and ASL Airlines France operate a thirty-seven Boeing dedicated freighters, including those of the B737, B747, and B757 families. FedEx’s European turboprop feeder network also includes one ATR42-300(F) and one ATR72-500(F) operated by Spain’s Swiftair (WT, Madrid Barajas). In North America, Empire Airlines, Gulf & Caribbean Cargo, Morningstar Air Express, and Mountain Air Cargo all operate ATR freighters on behalf of FedEx. The logistics firm itself does not operate any turboprops.