FedEx and the Environment

People around the world are demanding a better environment, cleaner, safer and quieter. Starting on December 31, 1994, Stage 3 Noise Standards in the United States and Europe began requiring airlines to begin phasing out operations of their noisier Stage 2 fleets.

As of the year 2000, operation of Stage 2 aircraft in the continental United States is prohibited with few exceptions. In Europe and Canada, a similar phase-out schedule took place in 2002.

In 1993, Pratt & Whitney estimated the cost of replacing the more than 2000 JT8D powered B727s, B737s, and DC-9s in service, at more than $130 Billion, a major financial hurdle for the Airline industry at the time.

Anticipating the high cost of compliance, Federal Express, the world's largest operator of B727s, joined forces with Pratt & Whitney in 1986 to develop a cost-effective Stage 3 Noise solution for the B727s. After thousands of engineering man hours and hundreds of test flights, FedEx has introduced FedEx Stage 3 Kits for all B727 models at maximum takeoff weights up to 204,500 lbs.

In addition to installing FedEx Stage 3 Kits on its own B727 fleet, FedEx has offered this cost effective noise solution to other B727 owners and operators around the world since 1990 and more than 740 FedEx Stage 3 Kits have been delivered to date. This has allowed these companies to operate as good corporate neighbors at local airports while preserving their investment in their B727 fleets.