UNITED Parcel Service Inc. purchased its first used Boeing Co 767s, grabbing older models that are in high demand as package shipments increase globally and production slots for new versions of the plane are sold out.
The three passenger aircraft, 767-300ERs that will be converted to carry freight, were bought “within the past couple of days,” UPS spokesman Jim Mayer said. He declined to identify the seller or the cost and couldn’t say when the new planes will begin flights for the Atlanta-based courier. The company has 59 of the model now, all ordered from Boeing in January 1993.
The 767, which debuted in 1982 as Boeing’s first twin-engine wide-body, has enjoyed a resurgence as a freighter as the passenger version loses popularity.