FedEx Express has celebrated the 25th anniversary of its hub at Stansted airport, north ofLondon, where it has gradually expanded operations over the past two and a half decades.
When the hub began operations in 1985, just four employees worked at the hub, with the firstflight in carrying just a few packages, the company announced.
Now the hub has 480 employees, a total area of 22,000 sqm and room for four wide-bodiedaircraft. FedEx Express currently flies two express freighters from Stansted to Newark andMemphis as well as one flight from Stansted to its European air hub at Paris Charles De Gaulle.
A significant number of notable deliveries have transited the FedEx Stansted hub, such as soundequipment for a Madonna Tour and a champion racehorse on its way to the Kentucky Derby. Otherinteresting objects include the Ryder Cup, a number of US racing cars, and a vintage Jaguar Le Manscar worth more than £1 million. The Stansted hub has also been involved in a number of humanitarianmissions, including shipping supplies, toys and other necessities to Calcutta for MotherTheresa.
“A key part of the success of the Stansted hub is the people,” said Ken Bromage, managingdirector, Operations, FedEx Express, and one of the original employees at the hub. “This is anamazing place to work, full of excitement and extraordinary challenges—two days are never the same.The world has changed, no more so than in the technology now available, and FedEx Express hasalways remained at the forefront. Yet, most important is the dedication, professionalism andpassion that the employees have, whether on a normal day, or pulling together to handle crisessituations like the volcanic ash cloud that occurred recently.”
“Stansted’s cargo operations have developed into world-class facilities on a global platform,now handling nearly 200,000 tonnes a year, and FedEx Express has been pivotal to that growth andsuccess,” said Nick Barton, Stansted Airport’s Commercial and Development Director, BAA. “FedExExpress is at the forefront of air transportation solutions and we’re proud to join in today’scelebrations to mark 25 years of the Stansted hub. We look forward to supporting FedEx Express asthey continue to develop services from here.”
