FedEx Express yesterday began operating a new direct freighter connection between India and itsAsia Pacific hub at Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou, southern China. The A310 aircraft is
expected to have a capacity of around 40 tonnes, and will fly five-times-a-week on aGuangzhou-Mumbai-New Delhi-Guangzhou rotation.FedEx’s own-operated direct China-India capacity prior to this week’s launch is understood tohave been limited to a New Delhi to Shanghai flight, launched in 2005. It said the new flightwould provide significant service enhancements for customers in Asia, including next-business-daydocument service from Asia to selected postal codes in Mumbai.
It claimed that for FedEx International Priority Freight shipments and high-value shipments fromother parts of Asia to India, transit time would improve by up to two business days, and for FedExInternational Priority Freight shipments from India to Asia other parts of Asia, transit time wouldimprove by one business day. It said the expanded cargo space would also allow FedEx Express tocarry heavyweight shipments to India.
FedEx said: “With an expected 7.9% average annual growth rate in the intra-Asia air cargo marketover the next 20 years, the new flight will boost and support increasing trade demand with Indiaacross the Asia Pacific region.”
David Cunningham, president for FedEx Express in Asia Pacific, claimed the new service signifiedFedEx’s commitment to continue investing in areas that not only addressd customer demand, butsupported trade growth in the Asia Pacific region and India.
According to the IMF, China and India were expected to register economic growth rates of 10% and8.8% per cent respectively in 2010.
