DHL Express has acquired 13 Airbus A300-600s which are to be converted into freighters by EADS' EFW division in Dresden.

The aircraft will replace DHL's A300B4-200 fleet and will be integrated into the cargo operator's fleet by early 2013.

The first A300-600 is scheduled to enter the conversion line in early June and will be delivered to DHL's Leipzig hub in October.

DHL Express managing director network operations Europe Bryan Jamison said the A300-600s, which have a 49t payload and burn around 20% less fuel than the A300B4-200s, will enable DHL to "take a big leap ahead towards our goal of reducing our carbon emissions by 30% by 2020".

DHL Express could not immediately be reached for further details.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news