FedEx recently announced that its FedEx Express subsidiary has expanded its network coverage from Asia to Middle East markets.
Company officials said through this effort it is leveraging its January 2011 effort, when it launched a new flight establishing direct connections between India and the FedEx Asia hub at Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou, Southern China, which was part of its strategy to strengthen connectivity to and from India.
The expansion to Middle East markets is comprised of a five times per week routing to Middle East markets from major Asia Pacific markets, including: Guangzhou-Mumbai-Dubai-Delhi-Guangzhou—customers shipping to the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, and Qatar.
And the company added that shippers will see transit time improvements of up to two days for various products and services, including:
-FedEx International Priority /FedEx International Priority® Distribution shipments originating from New Zealand;
-FedEx International Economy shipments originating from key Asia Pacific markets;
- FedEx International Priority Freight shipments originating from key Asia Pacific markets, except New Zealand; and
- Customers shipping from Middle East to Asia can also enjoy up to two days transit time improvement for IPF shipments.
“FedEx is committed to giving customers world-class products and access to the services they need to grow and support their business plans,” said David L. Cunningham Jr., president, Asia Pacific, FedEx Express, in an interview. “Our expansion of coverage from Asia to the Middle East is all about meeting this emerging demand from our customers.”
Cunningham added that both economies recorded strong economic performances in 2011, with GDP growth for Asia and the Middle East projected for the full year at 7.5 percent and 4.0 percent respectively, noting that the total value of merchandise trade between Asia and the Middle East was $668 billion in 2010, with that figure expected to grow.
“It is these types of trends that are driving our customers to seek greater exposure to these markets and why FedEx is committed to delivering the best service possible to ensure they have reliable access to new opportunities,” Cunningham explained. “FedEx success is driven by its comprehensive air-and-ground network and commitment to service excellence. FedEx continues to invest strategically to enhance our operational network and ensure our services meet the needs of emerging trade patterns and business models. Out latest expansion in the Middle East once again demonstrates our ability to tap into developing markets to help our customers grow their businesses.”