FedEx’s Incheon run to boost Asia network
FedEx Express, the United States courier and logistics company, will reveal plans today for a thrice weekly non-stop service between Hong Kong and Incheon, South Korea, in a move that will bolster both its Hong Kong and inter-Asia connectivity.
Peter Yin, FedEx Express regional vice-president for South Pacific, confirmed that the services, using Boeing MD-11 freighters with a 90-tonne payload, would be inaugurated soon.
He said the flights would be the first direct link between Hong Kong and Seoul. Previous cargo services were handled through FedEx’s major Asian hub at Clark airbase in the Philippines. Yin said Hong Kong has about five direct cargo services to both Clark and the US. He added that talks are also continuing with Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT) at Hong Kong International Airport about the role FedEx Express would have in its new HK$1.75 billion second terminal. But he said it is too early to outline concrete proposals. FedEx is a shareholder in AAT. Yin, who agreed that the facility is another example of FedEx’s commitment to Hong Kong, said: “Whatever arrangements there are, the connection would facilitate trade and air flow.” He was speaking after confirming that FedEx Express had applied to the US transportation department for 18 extra frequencies between China and the US. FedEx Express has applied for 12 out of the 21 weekly frequencies that were available to US all-cargo carriers from yesterday. It would use six of these flights to launch a westbound round-the-world service connecting Shanghai with the US and other cities in Asia and Europe.
The other six frequencies would be used to inaugurate a direct link between Qingdao and the US.
FedEx Express has also requested six of the 18 additional frequencies that would be available from March 25 next year. These would be used to institute an eastbound round-the-world service linking Shenzhen, Shanghai and Beijing with India, Europe and the US as well as other Asian locations. There is no concrete timetable for the launch of the new flights, assuming that it wins all its requested frequencies.
Outlining the importance of the mainland market, Yin said total volumes rose 50 per cent in the last financial year which ended on May 31. “China is a great market. It’s an important market for us,” he said.
Yin said FedEx Express is still working on its options for Guangzhou’s new Baiyun international airport after signing a framework agreement to study Baiyun as a potential site for a future cargo hub.
