UPDATE 1-FedEx buys more Boeing freighters, defers deliveries
* Exercises options to buy 15 more 777 Freighters
* Defers some 777 deliveries
* Capex to increase $15 mln in fiscal 2009
NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Federal Express Corp (FDX.N) said on Monday its FedEx Express unit exercised options to buy 15 more Boeing Co (BA.N) 777 freighters, worth $3.75 billion at list prices, but it deferred delivery of some of the planes as the U.S. economy faces a bleak outlook.
The giant package delivery company now has 30 of Boeing's 777 Freighters on order, and holds an option to purchase a further 15.
In an update of a 2006 purchase agreement, Boeing is set to deliver four 777s in FedEx's fiscal 2010, four in fiscal 2011, three in each subsequent fiscal year through fiscal 2018, and the remaining one in fiscal 2019.
As a result of the extra orders and the rescheduled delivery dates, FedEx said its capital expenditures are expected to increase by about $15 million in fiscal 2009 and by about $2.75 billion over the following 10 fiscal years.
Last month FedEx cut pay for all salaried personnel by 5 percent and suspended retirement plan contributions as it looked to slash costs in the face of a global economic slowdown. (Reporting by Bill Rigby; editing by Richard Chang)
