FedEx (Federal Express) is increasing frequency of its freighter flights between Qingdao, China and the US, following the inauguration of its international gateway in the city.
The flights depart from Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport and operate via Osaka, Japan, to FedEx’s hub in Memphis, Tennessee.
Trials have been operating since May with a weekly service. This has now been expanded to five flights per week from Monday to Friday, using a B777 freighter.
FedEx says the new flights will improve transit time for outbound parcels and freight from Qingdao and Shandong Province to North America by one day and allow next-delivery for some shipments, including those from Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, Jinan, Zibo and Weifang.
Qingdao is FedEx’s fifth gateway in China, along with Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, which between them operate 300 flights a week inbound and outbound. The company has nearly 11,000 employees and 3,000 vehicles in the country.
The 2,000sq m (21,500sq ft) hub has a fully automated sorting system and significantly enhances capability for inbound and outbound shipments and has been designated by FedEx as a strategic city for development in China.
Cargo and mail throughput at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport was over 200,000 tonnes in the first nine months of this year, up 10.5% over 2023.
FedEx president, Asia Pacific, said: “Our expanded flight linking Qingdao to the US strengthens one of the world’s most vital trade corridors, positioning Asian businesses for success, especially during the ongoing festive peak shopping season.”
In July, FedEx announced it wouldexpand its gateway facility at Clark International Airport (CRK) in the Philippines following the signing of an agreement with the airport’s operator and manager, Luzon International Premiere Airport Development (LIPAD).