FedEx Express opens direct US to South Korea route

FedEx Express has launched a new air cargo route between the US and South Korea. Four non-stop flights each week will connect the FedEx World Hub in Memphis, Tennessee, with the Korean capital, Seoul.

With a dedicated 777F aircraft, the company said the new route would combine a faster service between the two countries as well as a larger cargo capacity.

It said documents and packages from the US and Canada, as well as select markets in Latin America, would make it to South Korea in two to three business days.

The new link into South Korea comes as part of a general move by the industry to expand links with growth markets in Asia. UPS launched a next-day delivery service between Hong Kong and its Cologne hub this week.

Links between the US and South Korea are the subject of a pending Free Trade Agreement between the two countries, which could see trade barriers lowered. Forecasts are that such a move could see an $11bn a year increase in US exports to Korea.

FedEx said $38.8bn USD worth of goods were exported from the US to Korea last year, a 35% growth year-on-year, and that its 777F service had been placed strategically to meet the growing demand for shipments.

Michael L. Ducker, executive vice president and chief operating officer, FedEx Express, said: “Korea is the seventh-largest trading partner of the U.S. in terms of two-way trade which is expected to increase after final approval of the U.S. – Korea Free Trade Agreement.

“Flying direct to South Korea supports export trade from the U.S., Canada and select markets in Latin America and helps put our customers’ shipments from these locations into the South Korean market much faster,” Ducker added.

FedEx said it was continuing to expand its use of the Boeing 777 Freighter aircraft because of its fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions. The world’s largest twin-engine cargo aircraft, typical FedEx operations see it boasting an 81 metric ton payload, with a 5,800 nautical mile range.