FedEx Express has celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Stansted hub in the UK, holding a celebration for staff to recognise the great achievement.
When the hub began operations in 1985, just four employees worked at the hub, with the first flight in carrying just a few packages. Now there are 480 employees working at Stansted. The hub has a total area of 22,000 m2 and room for four wide-bodied aircraft.
FedEx Express currently flies two express freighters from Stansted to Newark, New Jersey and Memphis, Tennessee in the US, as well as one flight from Stansted to Charles De Gaulle, Paris, France.
A significant number of notable deliveries have transited the FedEx Stansted hub, such as sound equipment for a Madonna Tour and a champion racehorse on its way to the Kentucky Derby. Other interesting objects include the Ryder Cup, a number of US racing cars, and a vintage Jaguar Le Mans car worth more than £1m. The Stansted hub has also been involved in a number of humanitarian missions, including shipping supplies, toys and other necessities to Calcutta for Mother Theresa.
“A key part of the success of the Stansted hub is the people,” said Ken Bromage, managing director, Operations, FedEx Express, and one of the original employees at the hub. ”This is an amazing 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 has always remained at the forefront. Yet, most important is the dedication, professionalism and passion that the employees have, whether on a normal day, or pulling together to handle crises situations 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 and success,” said Nick Barton, Stansted Airport’s commercial and development director, BAA. ”FedEx Express is at the forefront of air transportation solutions and we’re proud to join in today’s celebrations to mark 25 years of the Stansted hub. We look forward to supporting FedEx Express as they continue to develop services from here.”
Source: FedEx
