Air Transport Services Group, Inc. has announced that its Cargo Aircraft Management Inc. (CAM) subsidiary has committed to purchase three Boeing 767-300-series extended-range aircraft from Qantas Airways Ltd with delivery in the third quarterthis year.

When converted into freighters, they will have a range of approximately 3,255 nautical miles, and a maximum payload of 54 tonnes. The three aircraft are expected to be operational in the first half of 2011 on a leased or ACMI basis.

“The purchase of these 767- 300ERs extends our leading position in the medium widebody freighter market, and gives us the means to transport greater cargo volumes over longer non-stop routes than our 767-200s can today, while efficiently interlining standard pallet cargo with larger wide-body freighters,” said ATSG president and CEO Joe Hete. They also leverage our 13 years of experience operating and maintaining 767s around the world, including the expertise of our veteran 767 flight crews and maintenance personnel.”

“Our investment here reflects continued strong demand for our existing 767-200 freighters, our confidence that the Boeing 767 will remain the preferred medium wide-body freighter platform for many years to come, and our comprehensive range of value-added products and services that assure our customers a successful transition and our full operating support,” Hete said. “We are eager to launch this next phase of our growth and development with the 767-300.”