FedEx Express has placed into service the first of its new, low-emission, hybrid electric powered delivery vehicles in concert with the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, Environmental Defense and Eaton Corporation.
Read MoreDHL and Lufthansa Cargo have begun operations on five new international routes; and DHL has increased capacity on its Hong Kong-Taipei service.
The new international routes, operated by Lufthansa Cargo MD11 freighters, will offer more intercontinental flights between Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the US, with faster transit times.
Read MoreFedEx Corp, the world’s largest air express transport company, increased revenues from China by an annual 40 percent in the quarter to end-February, but said again it was battling on an uneven playing field.
FedEx, which does not normally divulge sales by country or region, fears government legislation now in the works could impede progress and protect China’s postal monopoly, a senior executive said.
Read MoreFedex Corp said that it is still too early for a complaint to be lodged with the World Trade Organization in the ongoing row between foreign parcel deliverers and China Post. Asia-Pacific president David Cunningham said that the company is working to influence the government as it drafts new legislation governing the postal industry – and the controversial role played by China Post.
‘It needs to play out in China before proceeding to a WTO-type environment,’ he said. The upcoming postal legislation marks the latest twist in an ongoing dispute between the Chinese government and foreign express companies over the extent of market access and the dual role of the postal service as both competitor and regulator.
The Royal Mail has infuriated trade unions by asking its managers to work longer hours, while still in the process of making thousands of staff redundant.
Trade union Amicus has accused bosses of exploiting a climate of fear after managers have been asked to sign agreements opting out of the European working time directive, which limits employees to a 48-hour week. Peter Skyte, national officer at Amicus, said: “The company has said 3,000 managers are surplus to requirements. This is clearly not the case if it is necessary for the remaining staff to work longer for the business to function.
“It’s ludicrous for Royal Mail to want managers to do more than 48 hours a week while seeking redundancy from others,” he said.
A spokesman for Royal Mail said the request is purely voluntary and staff are not being forced to work overtime.
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