Quantcast

FedEx completes first-ever roundtrip panda deliveries between US and China

Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
Proposals for commercial planes to operate with one pilot shelved after critical EU report
Air Travel Fatalities Up 300% in 2024, According to Shocking Global Report
Aviation sector faces steeper losses in FY26; passenger growth slows amid headwinds: ICRA - The Times of India
Boeing Halts Strike Talks Amid $36 Billion Deal & Union Dispute
FAA’s Broader Runway Safety Push Builds on EMAS Legacy
Ryanair CEO says aviation sustainability targets are 'dying a death'
US FAA funds system to prevent accidents involving runaway airplanes
Exclusive: Korean Air makes airline's biggest-ever Boeing jet order amid Trump-Lee summit
Boeing Stock Jumps on Massive Korean Air Order
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike - Wikipedia
FAA EMAS: Proven Safety Wins Since 1996
Air Canada flight attendants try to build on US gains on unpaid work
Cathay Pacific warns of declining fares and cargo uncertainty, shares fall
Clear intentions, cloudy path: aviation's ongoing ESG challenge
Turkish Airlines is preparing binding offer for Spain's Air Europa, executive says
Air Canada flight attendants approve strike mandate
US criticizes use of AI to personalize airline ticket prices, would investigate
Ethiopian Airlines' annual revenue rises as it draws more passengers, adds routes
Major strike action to hit 12 Spanish airports that have Ryanair flights
JetBlue, United partnership gets go-ahead from U.S. Transportation Department
United-JetBlue partnership gets US DOT approval
The aviation industry just got exactly what it wanted from Trump's EU deal
FedEx completes first-ever roundtrip panda deliveries between US and China
Policy
Webp 1rxjc6i53wek612b0m8c45e1jg8i
Jill Brannon FedEx Executive Leadership Executive Vice President, Chief Sales Officer | FedEx

FedEx Corporation has successfully completed its first-ever roundtrip delivery of giant pandas between the United States and China. The transportation involved two separate flights using a FedEx Boeing 777-F, known as the "FedEx Panda Express."

The journey began in Atlanta, Georgia, where four giant pandas were transported from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in China. The flight departed on October 12 and arrived on October 13. The pandas included Lun Lun and Yang Yang, both 27 years old, along with their twin offspring Ya Lun and Xi Lun. These pandas have been residing at Zoo Atlanta since 1999 and are now at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

On the return flight from Chengdu to Washington, D.C., FedEx transported two-year-old pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). This leg of the journey took place from October 14 to October 15. Bao Li is noted as the grandcub of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who were also transported by FedEx in November 2023.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Richard W. Smith, chief operating officer for International operations and CEO of Airline at FedEx, stated: “Each giant panda move is special, and we’re always honored when selected as the trusted transportation provider.” He emphasized that this was their first roundtrip move involving delivery to and from China within a single aircraft journey.

FedEx has collaborated with the Chinese government and global zoos for over two decades to facilitate panda transportations. The company donated transportation costs as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts focused on environmental conservation.

Animal care experts accompanied the flights to ensure the safety and comfort of the animals during transit. The only cargo besides supplies such as bamboo was the pandas themselves.

Upon arrival in Washington, D.C., Bao Li and Qing Bao entered quarantine before their public debut scheduled for January 2025.

This operation marks another milestone for FedEx's ongoing involvement in panda conservation efforts globally.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

FedEx Express and UPS Airlines are two of the largest cargo carriers in the world, with both companies operating extensive fleets and moving significant volumes of freight globally.

Oct 25, 2025

The Dubai Airshow, the largest event of its kind in the region, is set to return in 2025 with more than 200 aircraft expected to be on display.

Oct 25, 2025

LOT Polish Airlines has announced a new route from Warsaw Chopin Airport to Almaty, Kazakhstan, set to begin on May 31 next year.

Oct 25, 2025

Air Canada has announced the launch of its fifth transatlantic route operated by the Airbus A321XLR, connecting Montreal to Porto.

Oct 25, 2025

London Heathrow Airport continues to be a central hub for global air travel in 2025, offering some of the world’s longest nonstop routes that connect the United Kingdom to destinations across every inhabited continent.

Oct 25, 2025

American Airlines has introduced a new high-premium configuration for its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fleet.

Oct 25, 2025