LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, Jan 10 (AFP) - US package shipper UPS announced Monday an order for 10 Airbus A380 super-jumbo freighter aircraft along with options for another 10.
The value of the deal was not released.
"The A380 will allow UPS to effectively meet the fast-growing demands of our customers across a variety of global trade lanes," said UPS airlines chief operating officer John Beystehner.
"This plane offers an exciting combination of payload and range that will help improve both the capability and efficiency of our international network," he said.
Deliveries of the A380s were scheduled to begin in 2009 and run to the end of 2012. UPS said it had not yet decided on the make of engines to power the massive planes.
"We are extraordinarily pleased to have UPS join the growing list of A380 customers, particularly because their order demonstrates the strength of the aircraft as a freighter for air carriers based around the world," Airbus president and chief executive Noel Forgeard said in a statement.
In a related decision, UPS cut its previous order for 90 A300 planes to 53. To date, 40 A300s had been delivered and the remaining 13 would be delivered by July 2006, the company said.
The A380 has the capacity to carry three decks of cargo with container capacity of nearly 40,000 cubic feet (1,100 cubic meters) and a maximum structural payload of 330,000 pounds (150,000 kilograms).
It has a range of 5,600 nautical miles.
"We continually evaluate and adjust the company's air network to meet the needs of our customers," Beystehner saidl.
"Our strong international growth has increased our need for larger aircraft and the super jumbo is part of that solution."
01/10/2005 20:49 GMT - AFP