Textron Aviation recently made the first delivery of a Cessna SkyCourier twin utility turboprop to FedEx Express. This is the first of 50 freighter aircraft that the global logistics firm ordered as the Cessna SkyCourier’s launch customer. The ‘clean-sheet’ aircraft, which achieved Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification in March 2022, is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc, a Textron Inc company, in Wichita, Kansas (USA).

Ron Draper, Textron Aviation’s president and CEO, said: “FedEx took delivery of its first Cessna in the mid-1980s, and the two companies have had a collaborative relationship over the four decades since. We are thrilled to deliver this aircraft that will help FedEx serve its customers more efficiently as it is designed with the option to carry industry-standard prepacked cargo containers. We believe many other airfreight, passenger and special-mission operators will also benefit from the winning combination of low operating costs and unparalleled lift capacity that the new Cessna SkyCourier brings to the market.”

In addition to the initial fleet order, FedEx Express has options for 50 more SkyCourier aircraft. Moreover, members of the FedEx Express design and engineering teams participated in Textron Aviation’s Customer Advisory Board to help shape the aircraft’s design, features and serviceability.

Scot Struminger, FedEx Express’s CEO and executive vice president of aviation, said: “For nearly 50 years, FedEx has been known for being flexible and innovative in finding solutions for our customers, and this aeroplane will help us better serve small and medium markets where we aren’t able to operate our larger aircraft. The SkyCourier will make us more efficient, now being able to move containerised and palletised freight for our customers.”