FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company, and European regional turboprop manufacturer ATR have signed a major contract for the firm purchase of 30 ATR 72-600F freighters plus 20 options.

These aircraft will be the first new ATRs to be directly delivered from the factory in a freighter configuration. This new aircraft version, designated ATR 72-600F, features a windowless fuselage and is equipped with a forward Large Cargo Door (LCD) and a rear upper hinged cargo door.
Deliveries of the ATR 72-600Fs to FedEx Express will begin in 2020.

These new ATRs are also the first ATR 72-600s that will operate in a cargo configuration, as well as being the first ones equipped with an LCD directly from the factory.

The ATR 72-600F features a class E main cabin for cargo operations, and will support both bulk cargo and Unit Load Device (ULD) configurations. The ATR 72-600F has a bulk capacity of 74.6m3, and when in ULD mode, can accommodate up to seven LD3 containers, or five 88” x 108”, or nine 88” x 62” pallets. The aircraft is also equipped with new reinforced floor panels.

Until now, ATR 42s and 72s in freighter configuration had been available only as conversions of the original passenger versions. Several supplemental type certificates (STCs) have been developed by different outfitters. The first freighter conversion, an ATR 72, was delivered in 2002. Around 100 conversions have been performed to date.