TNT Adding 777 Freighters to Fleet

TNT Airways signed an agreement to lease three new 777-200 Long Ranger freighters in 2011 to operate on its long haul Europe-Asia routes.

The carrier, a unit of Netherlands-based TNT Express, said the three aircraft leased from Guggenheim Aviation Partners, will reduce its reliance on commercial airlines and external short-term contract capacity on the route.

TNT currently operates four 747-400 extended range freighters -- two owned and two on short term leases -- on its Europe-Asia services.

By The Numbers: European Airlines' Freight Traffic.

The first 777 will enter service by July 2011, and the other two will join the fleet before the end of the year.

TNT said the three aircraft will provide capacity to support its growth in the Asian market.

The 777 has a maximum payload of 107 tons compared with the 117 ton payload of a 747, but it carries more payload than a 747 over distances greater than 8,125 miles.

-- Contact Bruce Barnard at brucebarnard47@hotmail.com.