Printable Version FedEx supports European trade growth with major hub expansions at Paris CDG and Cologne airports

FedEx Express recently announced two major new development projects designed to meet the growing needs of its European business.

The existing Roissy-Charles de Gaulle hub (already the largest outside the US) will be enhanced by the opening, in September 2008, of a new building providing 50% more sorting space and an increase in its package sorting capacity.  The expanded facility will also minimise its environmental impact by utilising more than 250 LPG- and electric-powered ground support vehicles.

In addition, construction will begin shortly at an entirely new state-of-the-art environmentally friendly facility in Cologne, due to open by spring 2010.  This will become FedEx’s main hub for Central and Eastern Europe following the relocation of its operations from Frankfurt, although full services will continue to be provided from there.       

The new Cologne hub will incorporate a 1.4-megawatt solar power system with the capacity to produce approximately 1.3 gigawatt hours of electricity per year and, furthermore, the new ramp and sort facilities (occupying 50,000 square metres) will incorporate extensive solar panelling.  The new hub will also provide additional jobs in a high quality working environment for the Cologne/Bonn region. 

As stated by the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, the latest trade statistics show that in 2007 the European zone recorded its fastest economic growth rate since 2000, and that the continuing trend towards a global sourcing and production model makes fast and reliable transportation services critical to the growth and success of European industry in general. 

Significant investments in the logistics capacities at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and in Cologne are an essential part of FedEx Express’ strategy for the continual development of its service network; continuing its leading role in facilitating the future business growth of Europe whilst seeking to reduce the environmental impact of its operations. 

For more information on FedEx’s hub expansion in Paris and Cologne click here.