Textron Aviation delivered its first Cessna SkyCourier twin utility turboprop to FedEx. This is the first of 50 freighter aircraft that FedEx ordered as the Cessna SkyCourier’s launch customer. The clean-sheet aircraft achieved Federal Aviation Administration type certification in March.

The Cessna SkyCourier is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation, a Textron company. Along with the initial fleet order, FedEx has options for 50 more SkyCourier aircraft. Members of FedEx’s design and engineering teams participated in Textron Aviation’s customer advisory board to help shape the aircraft’s design, features and serviceability.

“FedEx took delivery of its first Cessna in the mid-1980s and the two companies have had a collaborative relationship over the four decades since,” Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron Aviation, said. “We’re thrilled to deliver this aircraft that will help FedEx serve its customers more efficiently, as it is designed with the option to carry industry-standard prepacked cargo containers. We believe many other air freight, passenger and special mission operators also will benefit from the winning combination of low operating costs and unparalleled lift capacity that the new Cessna SkyCourier brings to the market.”

“For nearly 50 years, FedEx has been known for being flexible and innovative in finding solutions for our customers, and this aircraft will help us better serve small and medium markets where we aren’t able to operate our larger aircraft,” Scot Struminger, CEO and executive vice president of aviation for FedEx, said. “The SkyCourier will make us more efficient, now being able to move containerized and palletized freight for our customers. The result of four-and-a-half years of collaboration with Textron Aviation on this aircraft, FedEx Express is excited to add the Cessna 408 SkyCourier as part of our fleet modernization program.”