UPS has placed an order for 27 new Boeing 767-300ER freighters, for an undisclosed purchase price, to meet growing demand for international air mail services and to replace aging aircraft.

The 27 aircraft will be delivered between 2009 and 2012.

With UPS international package business growing 12 per cent in 2006, the wide-body 767s will be deployed on routes to and from Europe and Latin America, as well as on lanes within Asia and Europe, a company statement said.

"The Boeing 767-300ER freighter already is part of our current fleet and we know from experience what a great workhorse it is," said Bob Lekites, UPS vice president for Airline and International Operations.

"It's also a good answer to our fleet management needs because it provides great flexibility, fast time in transit and sound cost performance. In addition, we already have the pilot training, ground support and maintenance systems in place, making for a seamless integration."

The 767-300ER freighter carries 24 containers on its upper deck and seven containers in lower cargo compartments. It has a maximum payload of 132,200 pounds and a range of 3,000 nautical miles.

"This is a great aircraft for the long-term needs of our company," said David Abney, UPS chief operating officer and president of UPS Airlines. "It will support our global growth; it meets the strictest noise and emission standards in the US and Europe, and each one will have state-of-the-art navigation and collision avoidance systems that will serve us for years to come."

UPS said the order for the B-767s is not related to the UPS review of its order for 10 Airbus A380 freighters. The A380 plan calls for the Airbus planes to be deployed on long-haul routes now serviced by B-747s and MD-11s.