FedEx Increases Frequency of International Cargo Flight Connecting Qingdao to U.S.

 Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, announced the increased frequency of an international cargo flight from Qingdao, China to the U.S., alongside the inauguration of its Qingdao international gateway facility. This initiative will enhance FedEx network in China and empower local businesses to capitalize on global trade opportunities through more efficient, flexible, and intelligent logistics services and solutions.

The flight departs from Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, making a stop in Osaka, Japan, before arriving in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Trial operations commenced in May 2024 with a once-weekly service, which has now expanded to five flights per week from Monday to Friday. Utilizing a B777 freighter, increasing the flight frequency improves the transit time of outbound parcels and freight shipments from Qingdao and Shandong Province to North America by one day. This allows for selected shipments to the U.S. to achieve next-day delivery.

By integrating the flight with its existing ground network in Shandong, FedEx now offers Same Day Service for outbound customers in select areas, including Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, Jinan, Zibo, and Weifang. This gives customers the flexibility to arrange their shipments more conveniently and expand their global reach through FedEx’s efficient services.

Meanwhile, FedEx has officially inaugurated its Qingdao international gateway, the company’s fifth gateway facility in China, joining those in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. Located at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport, the new facility covers approximately 2,000 square meters and is equipped with a fully automated sorting system. This significantly enhances FedEx’s sorting capability and efficiency for local inbound and outbound shipments, providing customers in Shandong Province with a fast and seamless shipping and customs clearance experience.

“With over 40 years of operations in Asia Pacific, FedEx continues to lead in enhancing connectivity and driving greater value for our customers,” said Kawal Preet, president, Asia Pacific, FedEx. “Our expanded flight linking Qingdao to the U.S. strengthens one of the world’s most vital trade corridors, positioning Asian businesses for success, especially during the ongoing festive peak shopping season. Focused on delivering an outstanding customer experience, we continuously transform our air network by offering differentiated freight solutions, increasing capacity, and creating faster connections to meet demand, all while building a more flexible, efficient, and intelligent logistics network.”

Qingdao serves as a major hub for import and export trade in Shandong Province and is a key strategic city for FedEx’s development in China. In the first 10 months of 2024, the city’s total imports and exports reached RMB 754.72 billion, an increase of 3% year-on-year, ranking first in the province[1].Cargo and mail throughput at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport totaled nearly 206,700 tons in the first nine months of this year, up 10.5% year-on-year^[2]. By enhancing international air cargo resources in Qingdao and Shandong Province—strengthening connectivity and transit between the region and major airports worldwide—the expanded flight frequency and new gateway facility will support robust growth in local foreign trade and the economy, aligning with Qingdao’s vision of becoming a competitive, comprehensive international transport hub during the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan period[3].

This year marks the 40th anniversary of FedEx operations in China. Over the past 40 years, FedEx has consistently invested strategically to enhance its infrastructure and network connectivity underpinned by big data, AI and other digital technologies to benefit Chinese customers. With nearly 11,000 employees and nearly 3,000 vehicles, FedEx has established five gateways in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Qingdao, operating over 300 flights weekly in and out of China.

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[1] http://shenyang.customs.gov.cn/qingdao_customs/406496/406497/6197592/index.html
[2] http://hd.caac.gov.cn/HD_XXGK/HD_TJSJ/202410/P020241021514050409193.pdf
[3] http://www.qingdao.gov.cn/ywdt/zwyw/202205/t20220519_6060942.shtml