Quantcast

FedEx celebrates four decades of transatlantic flights

European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
Competitors are circling Southwest after the airline announced it's going to start charging for checked bags
Exclusive: Dominican Low-Cost Carrier Arajet Wants to Disrupt NYC Market
Boeing deliveries rise 63% in February from a year earlier
Transportation Secretary Duffy Lays Out 10 Ways the FAA Is Working to Upgrade Air Traffic Control and Make Flying Safer
EasyJet pilot Paul Elsworth suspended after flying too close to mountain
Delta Air Lines bets on ‘blended-wing’ flight to reduce emissions
FedEx celebrates four decades of transatlantic flights
Policy
Webp dq5bv26w93r6m2qjdzuwyuvvvn32
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.

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.

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
More News

Air New Zealand has introduced a new Regional Event Sponsorship programme to support and expand emerging events in the 20 regions it serves.

Jul 29, 2025

Flying Food Group announced on LinkedIn that it recognized its culinary team in celebration of National Culinarians Day.

Jul 28, 2025

Google Flights continues to expand its offerings, according to a recent discussion between The Points Guy and James Byers, group product manager for travel at Google.

Jul 28, 2025

Delta Air Lines has released a statement following the announcement of a new trade agreement between the United States and the European Union.

Jul 28, 2025

Run The Runway took place at Chicago Executive Airport on July 26, 2025.

Jul 28, 2025

Emirates has introduced its new Airbus A350 aircraft to Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport, marking the first time this model is operated in Italy and making Bologna one of the first ten cities worldwide to receive it.

Jul 28, 2025