Boeing announced on Wednesday the signing of a decade-long supply chain services agreement with Etihad Airways in support of the carrier’s growing 787 Dreamliner fleet. In a separate press release, Boeing announced that DHL will add four 767-300 freighters.
Today (July 22, 2020) Boeing announced the signing of decade-long supply chain services agreements with Etihad Airways that will support the airline’s growing Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The new contracts will help Etihad simplify asset and maintenance management, reduce spare parts costs and improve parts availability. Included in the agreement are Boeing’s Component Services Program, Landing Gear Exchange and Quick Engine Change kits. In Wednesday’s announcement, Etihad Airways’ Chief Operating Officer, Mohammad Al Bulooki said,
“Ensuring the highest standards in the Etihad Airways’ fleet is just one way we continue to set the standard for operational excellence globally. By partnering with Boeing as the OEM of Etihad’s 787s, we ensure that the fleet receives the highest levels of maintenance support to increase reliability and efficiency. These agreements continue to demonstrate the strength of the Etihad Aviation Group’s partnership. This is an important demonstration of Etihad’s ongoing focus toward the post-COVID world and the airline’s endeavors to set the benchmark for operational excellence in both product and sustainability, as well as technical performance and efficiency.”
Today’s agreements build on the strategic partnership between Etihad Airways and Boeing that was announced at the 2019 Dubai Airshow. Also commenting on today’s announcement, Boeing Global Services’ CEO, Ted Colbert added,
“We are delighted that Etihad, a market leader, has chosen to optimize its fleet reliability and efficiency by choosing Boeing’s Component Services Program, further strengthening our long-standing partnership. The Boeing team is ready to support Etihad’s world-class operation with our global scale, reach and OEM expertise.”
In a separate press release on Wednesday, Boeing announced that DHL Express will add four 767-300 Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF) to their fleet as part of their effort to modernize their intercontinental fleet. In today’s announcement, DHL Express’ Vice President – Global Fleet Management, Geoff Kerr said,
“We are excited to introduce additional Boeing 767 freighters to the DHL Express air network. We have operated the 767-300F model across our global fleet for many years and look forward to continue investing in the platform by adding more 767-300BCFs. The freighter type offers a proven versatility and we appreciate the opportunity to further enhance efficiency while simultaneously improving our environmental footprint. This brings us closer to our Strategy 2025 goals and ensures we deliver the best quality service possible to our customers.”
The Boeing 767 freighter is the world’s most efficient medium wide-body freighter, offering the lowest direct operating costs and best payload-to-weight ratio, allowing airlines to develop opportunities in long-haul, regional and feeder markets. Boeing’s converted 767 freighters have around the same capacity as a production model and can accommodate approximately 50 tons of structural payload up to 3,000 nautical miles with a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 412,000 pounds.
Source(s): Boeing, Etihad Airways, DHL Express