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Press Releases
HONGKONG, January 16, 1998 -- Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has signed the Letter of Intent with Shenzhen Airport (Group) Co., announcing its intention to provide direct express service at the Shenzhen Huangtian Airport in Southern China during a signing ceremony held at the Wuzhou Guest House. Signatories included John Quinn, Vice President for China and Mid Pacific Region of FedEx and Mr. Lu Shenghai, President of Shenzhen Airport (Group) Co.
The ceremony was attended by a number of distinguished guests. They included Mr. Guo Rongjun, Vice Mayor, Shenzhen City and Mr. Wang Wengui, Director General, Shenzhen Municipal Transportation Bureau.
"Shenzhen is an important gateway for China trade. We look forward to working closely with Shenzhen Municipal Government and Airport Authorities to establish a world-class all-cargo express service at Huangtian Airport," said John Quinn. "Our direct service to the Shenzhen Airport will significantly complement our current direct services to both Beijing and Shanghai."
FedEx expects to begin the all-cargo express service by the end of this year, and is now seeking to design and implement processes that facilitate fast and reliable express services. These include 24-hour customs clearance processing on site, pre-arrival clearance for import shipments, customs automation with the introduction of Customs Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), and self-handling at Huangtian Airport facilities.
As one of the most successful Special Economic Zones in China, Shenzhen has experienced tremendous economic growth during the past two decades. Indices show that Shenzhen's economy ranks sixth among China's medium to large cities. Its export-oriented economy produced over 20 per cent of China's exports in terms of value in 1996. Hi-tech industries have been the primary focus of Shenzhen's development plan and create one of the best air cargo markets in the PRC.
The six-and-a-half year-old Shenzhen Huangtian Airport is currently the fourth busiest airport in China. Its modern facilities and service quality make it one of China's top airports. More than 80 per cent of Hong Kong's air cargo traffic originates in Southern China, thus making Shenzhen a gateway airport with significant potential.
With support from the central government and the Shenzhen Municipality, Shenzhen Airport (Group) Co. has been actively promoting its cargo opportunity with an aim to fulfill the needs of the city's economic growth. The CAAC plans that the Shenzhen Airport will serve as one of four primary cargo centers in China. "We look forward to cooperating with FedEx as well as other domestic and international carriers to build Shenzhen Airport into a modern international hub," Mr. Lu Shenghai, President of Shenzhen Airport (Group) Co. said in his speech.
FedEx began flying its own DC-10 aircraft to China in March 1996, providing express door-to-door pick-up and delivery services between China and the United States. In September 1996, Beijing and Shanghai were linked to FedEx's AsiaOne network through the FedEx Asia Pacific Hub in Subic Bay, Philippines. At present, FedEx is the only U.S. express transportation company with rights to fly into and out of China, and it operates four times weekly.
FedEx currently serves more than 30 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific market with approximately 4,500 employees. The company provides the most extensive trans-Pacific airlift of any major carrier. Operating its own wide-bodied MD-11, DC-10 and A310 aircraft, FedEx offers over 250 flights per week to the following locations: Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Osaka, Penang, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Subic Bay, Taipei, and Tokyo, as well as destinations in the U.S.
Federal Express connects areas that generate 90 per cent of the world's gross domestic product in 24 to 48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service with a money-back guarantee. The company's unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable services for 3 million items in 212 countries each working day. The company employs approximately 140,000 people and has more than 43,000 drop-off locations, 600 aircraft and 39,500 vehicles in its integrated global network. FedEx maintains electronic connections with more 850,000 customers via FedEx PowerShip®, FedEx Ship® and FedEx interNetShipSM. Federal Express reported revenues of US $11.5 billion for its fiscal year ended May 31, 1997.
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