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FedEx celebrates four decades of transatlantic flights

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FedEx celebrates four decades of transatlantic flights
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Mark Allen FedEx Executive Leadership Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary | FedEx

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., marks the 40th anniversary of its first transatlantic scheduled flight service. On June 15, 1985, a fleet of seven Boeing 727s from Federal Express established an important air connection between New York, London, and Brussels. This was a pivotal moment in reshaping global trade and connectivity.

Fourteen years after its founding in Little Rock, Arkansas, FedEx began offering a handling service between the U.S. and major cities in Western Europe. The transatlantic route laid the foundation for an economic era where air freight traffic boomed with goods ranging from medicines to machine parts and perishable foods.

FedEx's rise from its beginnings to becoming an industry giant is notable. In 1973, FedEx started operations with 186 packages; today it handles over 17 million shipments daily through its global network.

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Operationally, FedEx has continuously expanded its presence. Initially connecting only 25 U.S. cities in 1973, the company now links more than 220 countries and regions worldwide. This growth is supported by a workforce that has grown from 389 employees to over 500,000 globally.

"1985 saw the concept of fast and reliable transatlantic shipping just emerging," said Wouter Roels, Regional President of FedEx Europe. "Our commitment to connecting Europe and North America played a crucial role in developing modern supply chains."

FedEx's integrated air and road network in Europe has significantly expanded over time. With two intercontinental air hubs and daily connections across 45 countries through 27 road hubs, FedEx sorts about two million packages daily at over 550 pickup and delivery stations in Europe.

The company's transatlantic capabilities connect most European regions with key U.S. business centers offering customers flexible delivery options for their global shipments. European e-commerce merchants benefit particularly from international services guaranteeing next-day delivery at competitive prices along with regional freight services across 22 countries for less urgent packages.

"The transatlantic trade relationships remain a cornerstone of the world economy," added Roels. "While dynamics have evolved—from the rise of e-commerce to sustainable logistics—our mission remains: providing certainty in an uncertain world."

Credit: Collection Guy Van Herbruggen

Organizations Included in this History
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