TNT Airways (TNT) and Guggenheim Aviation Partners, LLC (Guggenheim) have signed an agreement for the delivery and lease of three new Boeing 777-200 Long Ranger Freighters. The first aircraft will be delivered and enter service by July 2011. The two other will enter service by the end of 2011. The B777 freighters will operate on long-haul routes between Europe and Asia. On these routes, TNT currently operates a fleet of two owned B747-400ERFs and two B747-400ERFs on short-term lease. The new B777 freighters will reduce TNT's reliance on commercial line-haul and external short-term contract capacity, while providing the capacity required to support the company's growth in Asia. The B777 freighter offers a maximum payload of 107 tons compared to the 117 tons payload of a B747. The range capability of the B777 is outstanding. It carries more payload than a 747 over distances greater than 13,000 kilometers. "We are delighted to have concluded this agreement with Guggenheim for these aircraft and we are thrilled by the prospect of introducing the new type in our fleet," said Niky Terzakis, Managing Director, TNT Global Air Network. "Like the legacy 747, the B777 is a mature and very successful product and the most fuel efficient freighter aircraft available, while offering near equivalent performance to our 747 capacity," he added. "Its performances and versatility are just excellent for the type of long haul service we operate. These aircraft will equally have a positive impact on CO2 emissions while we are growing our business and network." "We are very pleased to again have the opportunity to work with Niky and his team at TNT," said Steve Rimmer, Chief Executive Officer of Guggenheim Aviation Partners, LLC. "The 777LRF is proving to be a perfect fit for this area of the freight market and will be a great addition to support TNT's future plans."(tnt/mar)