The Boeing Company on Thursday confirmed an order by UPS, the world's largest package delivery company, for 27 Boeing 767-300 Freighters -- an order, when all are delivered, that will nearly double the UPS 767 Freighter fleet.

The 27 new airplanes are slated for delivery beginning in 2009, extending into 2012, said Boeing in a statement. The new order also pushes the total number of 767s ordered to date to 1,005 airplanes, 77 of which are freighters.

This is the third order by UPS for 767 Freighters. The first came in 1993 with the model's launch order for 30 airplanes, and the second in late 2000 for two airplanes.

UPS introduced the 767 Freighter into service in 1995. In 2005, UPS also ordered eight 747-400 Freighters, the first of which will be delivered about midyear 2007. In addition, UPS is a customer for the 747-400 BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter).

Source: Xinhua