The 19 B767s are expected to be delivered by Boeing in the 2015 to 2019 fiscal years and will replace MD-10 and A310-200 freighters operated by the express services giant.

FedEx said that the B767F offers similar capacity to the MD-10 but represents a roughly 30 percent improvement in fuel efficiency, as well as a reduction of at least 20 percent in operating costs. The B767F also offers cost-saving commonalities with its fleet of B757s in terms of spare parts, tooling, flight simulators and the like.

David Bronczek, president and CEO of FedEx Express, commented: “FedEx Express is positioning itself for more profitable growth by modernising its aircraft fleet and better aligning its US domestic air network to match current and anticipated shipment volumes.”

Ray Conner, the newly appointed president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, added: “FedEx Express is the world’s largest express transportation company. This order of additional B767 freighters by FedEx reinforces the value of the airplane’s capabilities in the market today and tomorrow.”

This latest deal is in addition to the FedEx order revealed in December 2011 for 27 new B767s for delivery between FY2014 and FY2018. FedEx is now committed to the purchase of 24 B777 freighters; it already flies 19.