Quantcast

FedEx completes historic roundtrip delivery for giant panda conservation

A No-Frills Airline Is Getting Into the Premium Game
US Senate panel criticizes rising airline seat fees, will call execs to testify
Spirit’s Demise Is a Lesson in ‘Airline-o-nomics’
Inside BA’s new first-class suites: £800 an hour for most private seat
Focus: US airline flight crews confident and angry as unions seek richer contracts
Hawaiian Airlines Eliminates Widebody Route Amid Alaska Airlines Merger
US budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems?
Delta CEO says the Trump administration will reverse government ‘overreach’ seen under Biden
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy: How will it affect your travel plans?
British Airways yet to identify cause of latest IT meltdown
Delta Airlines Will Start Serving Shake Shack Cheeseburgers Next Month
United Sees Nearly 30% Surge in Travel to European Christmas Markets
Budget airline Israir to launch flights between Israel and NY, ending wartime monopoly by flagship carrier El Al
Asia's airlines blame supply chain woes for disrupted operations
Qantas and Qatar Airways: Planned partnership in the Australian aviation industry under the microscope
Spirit Airlines delays release of Q3 financial results as debt restructuring talks heat up
Delta investigating after plane’s nose mysteriously suffered damage
What Elon Musk's Starlink means for airlines
CAP OFF Major twist in Dublin Airport passenger cap row as High Court pauses decision in victory for airlines next summer season
Riyadh Air plans new jet order decision early next year
Calls for a blanket ban on politicians receiving free flight upgrades
Wizz Air Loses Challenge Against EU-Approved Romanian Aid for TAROM
Southwest, Other Airlines Plan a Shake-Up. Why They Need More to Boost Their Stocks.
One of Boeing's biggest customers leveled fresh criticism over ongoing 737 Max delivery delays
Low-Cost Airlines Innovate with Subscription Models
LA Considers $25 And $30 Minimum Wages For Hotel And Airport Workers
Airlines are on the hook for more than you think if something goes wrong with your trip
WA Labor & Industries plans to create new airline worker protections
Airlines must now give automatic refunds for significant delays. Here's what to know.
American Airlines Technical Operations, Fleet Service, Cargo and Central Load Planning team members ratify new agreement
FedEx completes historic roundtrip delivery for giant panda conservation
Policy
Webp dq5bv26w93r6m2qjdzuwyuvvvn32
Mark Allen FedEx Executive Leadership Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | FedEx

FedEx Corporation recently completed a significant logistical operation involving the transportation of six giant pandas between the United States and China. This marks the first time FedEx has conducted roundtrip deliveries of pandas using the same aircraft, a Boeing 777-F known as the "FedEx Panda Express."

The journey began in Atlanta, Georgia, where four pandas were flown to Chengdu, China. The pandas included Lun Lun and Yang Yang, both 27 years old, along with their twin offspring Ya Lun and Xi Lun. Upon arrival in Chengdu on October 13, they were transferred to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

On the return flight to Washington D.C., two-year-old pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao were transported from Chengdu. They arrived at Dulles International Airport on October 15 before being taken to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI). These moves contribute to FedEx's history of panda transportation since 2000.

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 and CEO of FedEx Airline, stated: “Each giant panda move is special, and we’re always honored when selected as the trusted transportation provider.” He emphasized this mission as an example of FedEx's commitment to connecting communities globally.

Poh-Yian Koh, Senior Vice President of FedEx and President of FedEx China, noted that this operation set a record for FedEx in terms of complexity and number of pandas transported in a single trip.

The flights included animal care experts from Zoo Atlanta and NZCBI to ensure the safety and comfort of the animals during transit. The only cargo besides the pandas was essential supplies like bamboo and water.

Since its inception as a panda transporter in 2000, FedEx has facilitated numerous cross-border panda transports worldwide. This latest mission highlights its ongoing commitment to cultural exchange through wildlife conservation efforts.

###

Organizations Included in this History
More News

On June 17, 2025, Star Alliance was recognized as the World’s Best Airline Alliance for the fourth consecutive year at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards.

Jul 14, 2025

Star Alliance has been named the World's Best Airline Alliance at the 2025 Skytrax Awards.

Jul 12, 2025

SAS and Air France have applied for a codeshare network covering ten U.S. destinations, including New York's JFK and Los Angeles' LAX.

Jul 12, 2025

Aviation analytics firm Cirium has released its June 2025 On-Time Performance (OTP) report, which analyzes global punctuality trends among airlines and airports.

Jul 12, 2025

United Airlines is set to resume flights to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport on July 21, 2025.

Jul 12, 2025

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport experienced significant growth in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic passenger numbers.

Jul 12, 2025