FedEx is deferring delivery of its first Boeing 777 Freighters by up to 17 months, resulting in the postponement of $275 million in commitments from 2009 into the future.

The cargo operator's November 2006 order for the 777F was a blow to Boeing rival Airbus after FedEx cancelled its order for 10 A380s due to programme delays.

FedEx still has 15 777F aircraft on order, but deliveries of four aircraft originally scheduled for next year have been rescheduled to 2010. Ten aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2011 followed by the final delivery in 2012.

Boeing on 14 November announced a three month delay of the 777F first delivery to Air France, citing the two month strike by its machinists.

Two aircraft are scheduled to complete flight tests this month.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news