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About FedEx
FedEx Archives: 2000 Press Releases
( BW)(TN-FEDEX)(FDX) FedEx to Ship Giant Pandas to U.S.; Express Transportation Leader to Airlift Giant Pandas From China to Washington, D.C.NOTE TO MEDIA: Photo is available in a Smart News Release(TM) on Business Wire's Home Page at www.businesswire.com WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 21, 2000--FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company, will use its extensive global transportation network to ship two giant pandas from China to the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C. Providing air transportation, ground transportation and logistical support, FedEx Express ("FedEx") will transport the pandas on December 6, 2000. Currently housed at the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan Province, the pandas will be flown on a FedEx MD-11 jet from Chengdu, China, to Washington Dulles International Airport. From the airport, a caravan of FedEx vehicles will deliver the pandas to the National Zoo. "The commitment of FedEx to bring the giant pandas to the United States highlights our support of the communities in which we do business, as well as our support of animal conservation and education efforts, and it showcases our unparalleled express transportation services to and from China," said David J. Bronczek, President and CEO, FedEx Express. "FedEx is honored to be the trusted carrier that brings the pandas to the Smithsonian National Zoo, allowing millions to view these unique animals." In addition to sponsoring the entire transport, FedEx provided funding for two custom-built transport containers which will house the pandas during their 17-hour flight. Tian Tian, the three-year-old male panda, and Mei Xiang, the two-year-old female panda, will be the only cargo aboard a custom-painted FedEx MD-11 jet, to be renamed "FedEx PandaOne," during the trans-Pacific journey. Veterinarians from the National Zoo and China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda have been granted special flight privileges so they can accompany the pandas during the air transport. Over the past five months, FedEx representatives in the United States and China have worked with both U.S. and Chinese government officials, as well as National Zoo representatives, so that all necessary precautions have been taken to provide a safe and comfortable flight for the pandas. FedEx PandaOne to Arrive in U.S. December 6 Departing Chengdu on December 6, 2000, at 11 a.m. (China time), FedEx PandaOne will fly eastward, cross the International Date Line, and make a stop at the FedEx facility in Anchorage, Alaska. In Anchorage, FedEx PandaOne will refuel and change crews, as the special shipment is expedited through Customs. While flight times often vary due to weather and wind conditions, FedEx PandaOne is scheduled to touch down at Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday, December 6, at 3 p.m. Due to regulations, all panda shipment departures and arrivals at the three airports will be closed to the general public. FedEx is providing logistical support and ground transportation for the pandas' safe arrival at the National Zoo. A caravan of FedEx vehicles will transport Tian Tian and Mei Xiang from the airport to the National Zoo during the final leg of their international journey. In preparation for the pandas arrival, FedEx has launched a new web site dedicated to the panda shipment. Located at www.fedex.com/pandas, "Absolutely, Positively ... PANDAS" will provide transportation updates, a panda arrival countdown clock, and the ability to track the pandas during the December 6 transport. FedEx Provides Unparalleled Service to China When FedEx entered the Chinese marketplace in 1984, it began putting in place the critical elements needed to provide consistent express freight and document transport. FedEx now serves 190 cities in China, and plans to expand service to 100 additional cities within the next five years. FedEx provides reliable pickup and delivery, international line-haul using its own aircraft to link China to the extensive FedEx regional and global networks, and rapid customs clearance. Via the FedEx AsiaOne(R) network, FedEx provided Chinese importers and exporters with fast and reliable access to cities throughout Asia and the rest of the world. FedEx employs more than 6,300 people and serves more than 30 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific region, and it provides the industry's most extensive trans-Pacific airlift. Operating its own wide-bodied aircraft, FedEx offers over 260 flights per week to Bangkok, Beijing, Cebu, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Osaka, Penang, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Subic Bay, Sydney, Taipei and Tokyo, as well as to destinations in the U.S. and Europe. In January, FedEx will begin service to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. FedEx Transports Many Unusual Shipments FedEx has a long history of transporting rare and delicate cargo. FedEx has shipped many unusual animals, including white tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, lions, gorillas, eagles and even a 13-foot tiger shark used in filming the movie "Jaws." Most recently, FedEx shipped thoroughbred horses for both the U.S. and Canadian Olympic equestrian teams to and from the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia. Other unusual international cargo transported by FedEx includes a yacht for the U.S. sailing team for the 2000 Paralympic Games, a windmill from Denmark, an 11,000-pound helicopter, an eight-ton statue of a war hero, a five-ton communications satellite, and tour equipment for Michael Jackson and The Rolling Stones. As title sponsor of the CART FedEx Championship Series, FedEx handles the movement of more than 50 race cars throughout CART's 20-race schedule to five countries on four continents. FedEx Express, a $15 billion subsidiary of FedEx Corp., connects areas that generate 90% of the world's gross domestic product in 24-48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service and a money-back guarantee. The company's unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast, reliable and time-definite transportation of more than 3.3 million items to 210 countries each working day. FedEx employs approximately 149,000 employees and has more than 46,000 drop-off locations, 663 aircraft and 49,000 vehicles in its integrated global network. The company maintains electronic connections with more than 2.5 million customers via FedEx(R) Ship Manager Workstation, FedEx(R) Ship Manager Software and FedEx interNetShip(R). NOTE TO EDITORS: FedEx press releases and photographic images regarding this press release are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.fedex.com/pandas.
--30--kh/na*
CONTACT: FedEx Media Relations, Memphis
Ed Coleman, 901/434-7780
eacoleman@fedex.com
KEYWORD: TENNESSEE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AIRLINES TRANSPORTATION PHOTO PHOTOWIRE
PHOTO: bb2
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