FedEx increases flight frequency on Qingdao-US cargo route

Policy

Jill Brannon FedEx Executive Leadership Executive Vice President, Chief Sales Officer | FedEx

By Sky Industry News

Nov 11, 2024

FedEx has announced an increase in the frequency of its international cargo flights from Qingdao to the United States. The company also inaugurated the Qingdao International Gateway Operations Center, aiming to enhance its logistics network in China with efficient and flexible services.

The flight route begins at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, stops in Osaka, Japan, and then heads to Memphis, Tennessee. Since May this year, the route has been operating once a week on a trial basis. Following the upgrade, it will operate five times a week from Monday to Friday using B777 freighters. This increase in flights reduces transportation time for packages and heavy shipments from Qingdao and Shandong region to North America by one day. Some shipments can now arrive in the U.S. as early as the next day.

With this new service integrated into FedEx's existing ground transportation network in Shandong province, customers in cities like Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, Jinan, Zibo, and Weifang can benefit from same-day export services. This allows clients to arrange exports flexibly while expanding their global business through FedEx's efficient services.

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The newly operational Qingdao International Gateway Operations Center is FedEx's fifth such center in China after Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Located at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport and covering approximately 2,000 square meters with fully automated sorting systems, it enhances FedEx's handling capacity for local import-export goods.

FedEx Senior Vice President and President of China Region Xu Baoyan stated: "Since entering the Chinese market in 1984, FedEx has always been committed to growing alongside China. The comprehensive upgrade of this route and the official launch of the Qingdao International Gateway Operations Center will further distinguish FedEx in market competition."

Qingdao serves as a major gateway for import-export trade in Shandong Province and is a key strategic city for FedEx's operations in China. From January to October 2024, Qingdao recorded an import-export value of 7547.2 billion yuan RMB with a growth rate of 3%. Additionally, Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport achieved a cargo throughput of 20.67 million tons during the first three quarters of 2024.

This year marks FedEx's 40th anniversary since entering China's market. Over these years, FedEx has continuously invested strategically to enhance infrastructure and logistics networks within China while leveraging innovative technologies like big data and artificial intelligence.