BOEING TO MODIFY 19 FEDERAL EXPRESS MD-11 FREIGHTERS

Boeing announced today it has signed a contract with Federal Express to modify 19 MD-11 passenger airplanes to freighters. As part of the agreement, Boeing Airplane Services will perform the engineering and parts procurement, in addition to completing the modification.

Modification work is expected to begin on the first airplane in third quarter 2002 and the final airplane is projected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2006. The facility where the conversions will take place has not yet been determined.

"Federal Express is one of our most important customers and we are thrilled to continue our relationship and provide an air transport solution that fits its requirements," said Joe Gullion, president of Boeing Airplane Services. "This agreement further demonstrates the growth of our services business."

An MD-11 Freighter is capable of carrying approximately 190,000 pounds (86,168 kg) of revenue payload with a range of 3,800 nautical miles (7,038 km).

Passenger to freighter modification involves primarily the removal of the passenger furnishings, installation of a side cargo door and installation of a cargo handling system. Modification typically takes about 90 days to complete.

Boeing Airplane Services provides customer-focused service solutions designed to meet an airline's individual requirements. Offerings include engineering retrofit packages, avionics upgrades, in-flight entertainment systems integration, cabin management solutions, passenger-to-freighter conversions, recovery and repair services, and aircraft performance improvements for Boeing commercial aircraft. In addition, Boeing Airplane Services has the most comprehensive spare parts distribution system in the industry, with a worldwide network of distribution and service centers. It also provides technical consulting and general contracting support for passenger and cargo airlines.

Boeing Airplane Services is a unit of the Boeing Commercial Aviation Services organization, which offers the aviation industry's broadest array of support resources. As part of The Boeing Company, Boeing Airplane Services has access to all the experience and technical capabilities of the world's largest aerospace company. More than 11,000 Boeing airplanes are in operation today around the world.