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FedEx Archives: 2000 Press Releases

( BW)(TN-FEDEX)(FDX) FedEx Delivers Giant Pandas

Business Editors
    NOTE TO MEDIA: Photos are available in a Smart News Release(TM) on Business Wire's Home Page at www.businesswire.com

    WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 6, 2000--FedEx Express ("FedEx"), the world's largest express transportation company delivered two giant pandas from China to Washington Dulles International Airport today at 3:02 p.m. EST. The pair was transferred to a caravan of FedEx vehicles for the final leg of their journey to the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.
    FedEx provided air transportation, ground transportation and logistical support for the pandas, which were born at and previously housed at the China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan Province. Tian Tian, a three-year-old male panda, and Mei Xiang, a two-year-old female panda, were placed in separate custom-built containers paid for by FedEx for their approximately 17-hour flight aboard a custom-painted FedEx MD-11 jet, renamed "FedEx PandaOne." The aircraft took off from Chengdu, China on December 6, 2000, at 11 a.m. (China time), continued eastward across the International Date Line, and stopped at the FedEx facility in Anchorage, Alaska where "FedEx PandaOne" refueled and, due to the lengthy flight time, had a crew change. U.S. Customs officials, mindful of the sensitivity of the cargo, expedited their procedures and within 90 minutes the pandas were airborne for the final six-hour flight to Washington D.C.
    FedEx pilots and drivers who were selected to transport the pandas are some of the company's most seasoned veterans. "This shipment is symbolic of what we do every day," said Mike Padron, Captain of the flight from Anchorage to Dulles. "Every day, FedEx circles the globe, making deliveries that are very, very important to people. It brings a real sense of job satisfaction." Padron's fellow crewmember on the flight from Anchorage was Captain Ken Jeisel. The flight crew from Chengdu to Anchorage included Captain Ryan Swah, Captain Paul Bjornstad, and Captain Jayne Akin. Driving the pandas from Dulles to the National Zoo were Dennis Halsey and Dominic Gorruso, each with over 20 years safe driving experience with FedEx.
    Veterinarians from the National Zoo and China Research and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda accompanied the pandas on their trans-Pacific journey. Over the past five months, FedEx representatives in the United States and China worked with both U.S. and Chinese government officials, as well as Smithsonian Institution and National Zoo representatives, to assure that all necessary plans were in place to provide a safe and comfortable flight for the pandas.
    In preparation for the pandas' arrival, FedEx launched a new web site dedicated to the shipment. Located at www.fedex.com/pandas, "Absolutely, Positively ... PANDAS," it provides transportation updates, an arrival countdown clock, and the ability to track the pandas during the transport.
    When FedEx entered the marketplace in China in 1984, it began putting in place the critical elements needed to provide consistent express freight and document transport for its customers. 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 provides 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.
    FedEx Express, a US$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 Ship Manager Workstation, FedEx 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--SL/na*

    CONTACT: FedEx Media Relations
             Trish Harwood or Ed Coleman, 901/434-7787 or 901/434-7780
             eacoleman@fedex.com

    KEYWORD: TENNESSEE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL CHINA ASIA
PACIFIC
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: AIRLINES TRANSPORTATION PHOTO PHOTOWIRE
    PHOTO: bb8