FedEx Express announced that it has further increased capacity with the launch of two new flights connecting Asia Pacific (APAC) businesses to Europe and North America ahead of the year-end holiday peak season.

In a statement, it said it has also added wide-body 767 freighters, making the FedEx fleet in Asia 100% wide-body.

The launch of these two new flights is the latest in the FedEx network expansion, as economies across APAC continue to rebound. Combined with the four new intercontinental flights launched in July, FedEx has added 62 flights in and out of APAC per week with additional capacity to carry almost 2,700 tons (2,690,000 kgs).

FedEx noted that these added flights contribute to a total of over 225 weekly flights in and out of APAC to the U.S. and Europe. 

Greater connectivity with Europe

"One of the two new FedEx flights provides additional connectivity and reliable service to and from Europe, and service enhancements to importers in Japan. Europe is Japan's third largest trading partner and, this year, Japan saw a year-on-year (YoY) increase of 28% in its global imports," FedEx said.  

The new FedEx Asia-Europe flights connect FedEx Charles de Gaulle (CDG) Hub in Paris, France to FedEx APAC hub in Guangzhou, China, four days per week via Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan, and one day a week via Singapore Changi Airport.

In total, there are 10 extra connections each week for APAC customers to and from Europe.

Meanwhile,benefitting from strong export demand from major trading partners, the U.S. and mainland China, and key Asian economies are also starting to see rebound.

FedEx said for instance, Taiwan's economy is forecasted to grow at its fastest pace in more than a decade in 2021, with global demand for its technology products driven by the work-and-study-from-home boom resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The value of merchandise exports from Hong Kong sustained notable year-on-year growth of 25.9% in August 2021. Exports to the Mainland, the U.S., E.U. and many other Asian economies showed apparent increases.

With this, FedEx noted that its new trans-Pacific flights connecting Taipei and Hong Kong to Anchorage and Indianapolis, and returning via Anchorage to Taipei, five days per week, providing customers with improved capacity between Greater China and North America, further accelerating trade between Asia’s leading logistics hub and the U.S. 

Wide-body fleet doubles capacity to Southeast Asia

In addition to these new intercontinental flights, FedEx said it also increased its intra-Asia network capacity by replacing Boeing 757 narrow body freighters with Boeing 767 wide-body freighters.

This has nearly doubled the cargo capacity to Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines.

The FedEx Boeing 767 freighter offers a maximum gross payload capacity of approximately 60,000 kgs, building on the current FedEx operational strength. At the same time, the wide-body aircraft provides 38% more fuel efficiency. 

"With businesses reopening worldwide in varying phases, cross-border trade is gaining renewed momentum. Building a more robust and resilient global network is vital to empowering APAC businesses and supporting them in tapping growth opportunities," said Kawal Preet, president of the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) region at FedEx Express.

"Our intercontinental flight expansion, and enhancement of our fleet over the past few months, is testament to the FedEx commitment to support businesses of all sizes, particularly with the rapid growth of e-commerce and the upcoming year-end holiday peak."

E-commerce boom cited

Anthony Leung, managing director, FedEx Express Hong Kong and Macau also noted the growing e-commerce demand in the region. 

"The accelerating boom of cross-border e-commerce has resulted in the growing demand for air cargo, especially during the peak season. At FedEx, we continue to expand our ability to create promising shipping experiences through strategic investments," Leung said.

"We continuously invest in network and services to support our customers to grow their business. The new flight connecting Hong Kong to North America offers local small and medium-sized merchants agile and flexible services to connect businesses around the world," he added.

Recently, FedEx further enhanced its cross-border e-commerce capabilities with the launch of FedEx® International Connect Plus (FICP), a new FedEx Express International, day-definite, e-commerce shipping service that combines competitive speed with attractive prices.

Moreover, FedEx announced its innovative Compatible and Alliances programs with leading e-commerce technology platforms across the Asia Pacific region, enabling e-merchants direct access to FedEx services to meet the heightened demand during the upcoming peak season.