Phoenix, AZ. -- February 25, 2000
Airborne Express (ABF on the NYSE; www.airborne.com) and some of its major corporate customers today celebrated inaugural service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport by Airborne’s growing fleet of Boeing 767-200 cargo jets. The aircraft are the first 767s ever to be converted from passenger configuration under a special FAA type rating.

Arizona Secretary of State Betsey Bayless joined Airborne officials in welcoming executives of American Express, Pinacor/Microage, Bank of America and other corporate customers of Airborne Express to dedication ceremonies at Airborne’s Sky Harbor facility.

"Today marks an important milestone in Airborne’s service to the state of Arizona," said Airborne Express Vice President Bob Kelley. "It's an important indicator of economic vitality, and proof that we’re committed to meeting our customers’ rising expectations."

The 767-200 will deliver a 35% increase in cargo-carrying capability for Airborne, compared with the carrier’s primary workhorse, the DC8. "The operating cost will be 14% less than Airborne’s DC-8’s," Kelly said. "At the same time, the 767-200 far exceeds even the most stringent international standards being considered for both emissions and noise."

Boeing assigned an engineer to assist Triad International Maintenance Corp. (TIMCO) and Airborne to convert the aircraft at TIMCO’s facility in Greensboro, North Carolina. The significant structural modifications, including design, fabrication and installation of high-strength floor beams, required strict FAA oversight and approval.

The 767-200s are assigned primarily to Airborne’s longest domestic routes between western cities and Wilmington. The jets feature Airborne's refined logo - a cleaner, larger, bolder design that is being painted on the existing fleet of DC8s and DC9s as they come in for routine maintenance.

For more than 50 years, Airborne Express has served shipping needs of business customers around the world. Today, Airborne offers total distribution solutions by providing time-sensitive delivery of documents, letters, small packages, and freight to virtually every U.S. ZIP code and more than 200 countries. Customers can select from a variety of services including same-day, next-morning, next-afternoon or second-day delivery, ocean service, and logistics management.