GLOBAL INDUSTRY NEWS

FedEx expands cargo flight frequency between Qingdao and U.S., opens new gateway

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 connecting Qingdao, China, to the United States. This development is part of a broader strategy that includes the opening of a new international gateway facility in Qingdao. The aim is to strengthen FedEx's network in China and provide local businesses with enhanced logistics services.

The upgraded service will see flights departing from Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, stopping in Osaka, Japan, before reaching Memphis, Tennessee. Initially trialed as a once-weekly service starting in May 2024, it has now expanded to five weekly flights from Monday to Friday using a B777 freighter. This expansion improves transit times for shipments from Qingdao and Shandong Province to North America by one day, enabling some U.S.-bound deliveries to arrive the next day.

In conjunction with this increased flight frequency, FedEx is integrating these flights with its existing ground network across Shandong. Customers in areas such as Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, Jinan, Zibo, and Weifang can now access Same Day Service for outbound shipments.

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The newly inaugurated Qingdao international gateway marks FedEx's fifth such facility in China. It joins others located in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. Situated at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport and spanning approximately 2,000 square meters, this facility features a fully automated sorting system aimed at improving efficiency for both inbound and outbound shipments.

During the launch event on November 11th at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport—a water salute ceremony welcomed the FedEx B777 freighter dedicated to this route—Poh-Yian Koh commented: “Since entering the Chinese market in 1984, FedEx has been committed to growing with China. The flight and gateway in Qingdao will further differentiate FedEx and drive greater value for Chinese customers benefitting from our one-stop-shop approach for reliable global delivery of parcel and freight and smart digital solutions.”

Qingdao plays a significant role as a hub for import-export activities within Shandong Province. From January through October 2024 alone, total imports and exports reached RMB 754.72 billion—a 3% year-on-year increase—placing it first provincially according to local data sources[1]. Cargo throughput at its airport rose by over ten percent during this period[2].

This move aligns with both regional economic growth objectives underlined by recent provincial planning documents[3] while commemorating four decades since Federal Express began operations within mainland China's borders—marked today by employing nearly eleven thousand staff members alongside three thousand vehicles operating out over three hundred weekly departures globally originating here domestically too!