FedEx Increases Frequency of International Cargo Flight Connecting Xiamen to U.S.

Robert Chu, vice president, Operations, FedEx China and FedEx Asia Pacific Hub, Clarence Lee, vice president, Sales, FedEx China, and representatives from Xiamen local authorities, illuminated the light poles together, initiating the launch of FedEx Xiamen-U.S. flight expansion.

Xiamen, China, November 21, 2024 - Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world's largest express transportation companies, today announced the increased frequency of an international cargo flight from Xiamen to the U.S., along with the inauguration of its Xiamen international gateway facility. FedEx is the only international express company operating international flights in Xiamen.

The flight, operating five times a week, enhances the FedEx logistics network in Fujian, facilitating Chinese customers' access to global markets through more efficient, flexible and intelligent logistics services and solutions. The flight departs from Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, China, and stops in Incheon, South Korea before arriving in Anchorage, Alaska and Memphis, Tennessee, in the U.S. This also marks a milestone for Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport with the launch of Memphis as a new international destination.

The flight which began operations with a once-weekly service in June 2024, has now been expanded to five flights per week from Tuesday to Saturday, utilizing a B777 freighter. The flight reduces transit times for Fujian's outbound parcels and freight shipments to North America by one to two days.

Meanwhile, FedEx has officially inaugurated its Xiamen gateway at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport, collaborating with Airport Cargo Terminal of Iport Group. The facility spans over 3,800 square meters. Primarily serving customers in Xiamen and Fujian Province, it also supports some cargo exports from Changsha, Hunan Province, and Shantou, Guangdong Province. Equipped with fully automated sorting lines, it integrates sorting for cross-border e-commerce cargo and express parcels, improving operational efficiency.

FedEx is the first express company to establish its presence at Airport Cargo Terminal International Express Centre of Iport Group. The centre is equipped with an integrated express handling system with four major functions including security check, inspection, sorting, and collection and transportation. This allows FedEx outbound shipments to complete customs clearance within the centre and complete sorting at the FedEx international gateway facility, simplifying the operation process and increasing customs clearance efficiency.

A water salute ceremony was held at Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport to welcome FedEx B777 freighter which is utilized for the Xiamen to U.S. flight.

"China is pivotal to FedEx's global strategy. From parcel transportation to freight delivery, we constantly drive greater value for Chinese customers benefitting from our one-stop-shop approach for reliable global service and smart digital solutions, " said Robert Chu, Vice President of FedEx China. "The flight expansion will expand our capacity and extend our service network to more second- and third-tier cities in China. And our operations in Xiamen gateway and Airport Cargo Terminal International Express Centre will allow us to further expedite customs clearance and empower local businesses in accessing global export opportunities, supporting Xiamen to drive foreign trade."

Xiamen has been a strategically important city for FedEx in China. In March 2023, FedEx established a strategic collaboration with the Xiamen Municipal Government to optimize and expand international air cargo operations in the city, supporting cross-border e-commerce growth, and promoting sustainable logistics development. These new developments are a significant step in implementing this strategic cooperation and a major initiative to help Xiamen increase air cargo capacity and become an international air hub^[1]. This will also support the upgrade of regional and international cargo channels in Xiamen, enhance its international logistics competitiveness, and contribute to its goal of becoming an "international logistics hub and a central city of logistics on the southeast coast." ^[2]

In the first ten months of 2024, Fujian's total import and export value exceeded RMB1.6 trillion, a 1.7% increase year-on-year ^[3]. From Jan to Oct in 2024, Xiamen led all preferential cities in Fujian with a total import and export value of RMB771.93 billion, with exports at RMB408.88 billion, a 10% year-on-year increase. ^[4]The flight and facility will better connect Xiamen and Fujian with Asia and North America, providing new momentum for foreign trade.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of FedEx operations in China. Since entering the market in 1984, FedEx has consistently invested strategically to enhance its infrastructure and network connectivity underpinned by big data, AI and other digital technologies to benefit Chinese customers. With nearly 11,000 employees and nearly 3,000 vehicles, FedEx has established six gateways in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Qingdao, and Xiamen, operating over 300 flights weekly in and out of China.

[1]https://www.gov.cn/lianbo/bumen/202408/content_6970217.htm
[2]https://jtyst.fujian.gov.cn/zwgk/jtyw/mtsy/202312/t20231208_6327165.htm
[3]http://fuzhou.customs.gov.cn/fuzhou_customs/zfxxgk19/2963574/2963954/484131/6195618/index.html
[4]http://fuzhou.customs.gov.cn/fuzhou_customs/zfxxgk19/2963574/2963954/484131/6210291/index.html