Category Archives: FedEx Express

FedEx commits to carbon-neutral operations by 2040

FedEx Corporation, home of the world’s largest cargo airline, announced an ambitious goal to achieve carbon–neutral operations globally by 2040.

To help reach this goal, FedEx is designating more than $2 billion of initial investment in three key areas: vehicle electrification, sustainable energy, and carbon sequestration.

This includes a pledge of $100 million to Yale University to help establish the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, accelerating research into methods of carbon sequestration at scale, with an initial focus on helping to offset greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to current airline emissions.

“We have a responsibility to take bold action in addressing climate challenges,” said Frederick W. Smith, Chairman and CEO, FedEx Corp. “This goal builds on our longstanding commitment to sustainability throughout our operations, while at the same time investing in long-term, transformational solutions for FedEx and our entire industry.”

Key steps toward reaching the carbon neutral goal include:

Vehicle Electrification. By 2040, the entire FedEx parcel pickup and delivery (PUD) fleet will be zero–emission electric vehicles. This will be accomplished through phased programs to replace existing vehicles. For example, by 2025, 50% of FedEx Express global PUD vehicle purchases will be electric, rising to 100% of all purchases by 2030.
Sustainable Customer Solutions. FedEx will work with customers to offer end-to-end sustainability for their supply chains through carbon–neutral shipping offerings and sustainable packaging solutions.

Sustainable Fuels. FedEx will continue to invest in alternative fuels to reduce aircraft and vehicle emissions.
Fuel Conservation and Aircraft Modernization. FedEx will build on its successful FedEx Fuel Sense initiatives designed to reduce fuel consumption in its aircraft. Since 2012, the FedEx Fuel Sense and Aircraft Modernization programs have saved a combined 1.43 billion gallons of jet fuel and avoided over 13.5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Facilities. FedEx will continue efforts to make its more than 5,000 facilities worldwide more sustainable through continued investments in efficient facilities, renewable energy, and other energy management programs.
Natural Carbon Sequestration. FedEx funding will help to establish the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture to support applied research into natural carbon sequestration solutions.

The path toward sustainability requires new strategies for removing and storing Earth’s excess carbon. The Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture will catalyze interdisciplinary research across the natural sciences and engineering in an effort to accelerate this work.

Center researchers will develop methods that build on natural carbon storage systems, including biological ecosystems and the geological carbon cycle, improving, where possible, how quickly carbon can be absorbed, how much can be contained, and how long it can be stored. Through these efforts, Yale scientists aim to create a portfolio of carbon removal strategies that have impacts on a global scale.

Building upon initial successes in the aviation sector, the center will broaden its scope to address additional global sources of emissions – publishing and sharing its findings so that businesses, industries, and governments can benefit from work that will accelerate the adoption and implementation of natural carbon capture strategies around the world.

“Addressing climate change is a complex challenge that demands urgent action, and natural carbon capture strategies will be one key part of that action,” said Dr. Ingrid C. “Indy” Burke, the Carl W. Knobloch, Jr. Dean of the Yale School of the Environment. “Through the creation of the Yale Center for Natural Carbon Capture, we aim to develop measurable carbon capture strategies to help offset carbon emissions globally.”

The FedEx commitment builds on a history of sustainable practices. Since 2009, the company’s efforts have contributed to an approximately 40% reduction in CO2 emissions intensity across the enterprise while package volume increased 99% during that period. Recently, FedEx was ranked first in its industry on JUST Capital’s 2021 list of “America’s Most Just Companies” in the environment category and first in the travel, transport and logistics sector of Newsweek’s “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2021.”

“While we’ve made great strides in reducing our environmental impact, we have to do more. The long-term health of our industry is directly linked to the health of the planet, but this effort is about more than the bottom line – it’s the right thing to do,” said Mitch Jackson, Chief Sustainability Officer, FedEx Corp. “At FedEx, we are committed to connecting people and possibilities resourcefully and responsibly. The steps we are taking today will contribute a positive impact for generations to come.”

FedEx Express aircraft photo gallery:

FedEx Express aircraft slide show:

FedEx Express to cut up to 6,300 jobs in Europe on TNT integration

FedEx Corporation is expected to cut upwards of 6,300 jobs in Europe as part of the TNT Express integration according to Bloomberg.

FedEx to ship first wave of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines across the United States

A second COVID-19 vaccine by Moderna has been approved (now two). FedEx Express has made this announcement:

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corporation and the world’s largest express transportation company, has announced that operations are in motion to transport Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines for McKesson Corp. throughout the United States.

Following the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Emergency Use Authorization for the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, FedEx Express will begin transport of the vaccine and kits of supplies for administration of the vaccine, using its FedEx Priority Overnight^® service supported by FedEx Priority Alert^® advanced monitoring. After months of preparation and close planning with McKesson, Operation Warp Speed and state and local officials, the COVID-19 vaccines will begin moving to dosing centers throughout the United States. FedEx continues to work closely with its healthcare customers on plans for additional vaccine shipments and the transportation of critical vaccine-related supplies.

The FedEx network began actively delivering Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shipments across the U.S. last week. The company is set to begin vaccine shipments throughout Canada as early as next week and is also preparing to begin delivering vaccines to other countries. FedEx is well-positioned to handle COVID-19 vaccine shipments around the world with temperature-control solutions, near real-time monitoring capabilities, and a dedicated healthcare team to support the express transportation of vaccines and bioscience shipments.

“The shipment of vaccines to help end the COVID-19 pandemic is among the most important work in the history of FedEx, and our team is focused on the safe and efficient delivery of these critical shipments,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and chief operating officer, FedEx Corp. “As we have said since the onset of the pandemic and our relief efforts, this is who we are and what we do.”

Transportation of COVID-19 vaccines is the next phase of ongoing FedEx efforts to support pandemic relief around the world. FedEx has a long history of supporting relief efforts when disasters strike, using its network and expertise to deliver for good.

“The FedEx team and network are uniquely positioned to deliver on this mission in the U.S. and around the world,” said Don Colleran, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Express. “The transportation of vaccines continues our ongoing work since the beginning of the pandemic to keep critical supply chains operating, meet the increased demands for residential delivery and deliver more than 9,600 humanitarian aid shipments around the globe.”

To help reach underserved communities with the COVID-19 vaccine, FedEx has committed $4 million in cash and in-kind transportation support to several nonprofits serving communities in the U.S. and around the world. These include Direct Relief, International Medical Corps, and Heart to Heart International.

“FedEx Express has deep relationships and decades of experience delivering for our healthcare customers,” said Richard W. Smith, regional president of the Americas and executive vice president of global support, FedEx Express. “Our service and network were built for this moment. Coupled with our investments in advanced technology, we are ready to support McKesson and Moderna in this historic effort to help end the pandemic.”

About the technology:

At FedEx, the information about the package is as important as the package itself as it moves through the network. FedEx SenseAware ID, a Bluetooth low-energy sensor device, will be affixed to vaccine shipments, helping to ensure these temperature-sensitive deliveries move swiftly and safely through the FedEx Express U.S. network with FedEx Priority Overnight service. From origin to destination, dedicated FedEx Priority Alert customer support agents are using SenseAware monitoring technology to track the location of vaccine shipments in near real-time. This technology is complemented by the FedEx Surround platform, which leverages artificial intelligence and predictive tools to proactively monitor conditions surrounding the packages, allowing customer support agents to intervene if weather or traffic delays threaten to impede delivery times.

Quick stats about the FedEx network:

Built over 47 years, the FedEx network consists of more than 5,000 facilities, 680 aircraft, 200,000 vehicles, and – most importantly – nearly 600,000 dedicated team members worldwide.
At present, FedEx Express operates nearly 32,000 flights per month, and roughly half are flown by widebody aircraft.
FedEx Express has more than 90 cold chain facilities across five continents with plans to open additional facilities in coming years.
To the extent vaccine shipments may require the use of dry ice, FedEx Express is capable of safely handling those volumes. FedEx Express transports approximately 500,000 dry ice shipments a month.

FedEx aircraft photo gallery:

FedEx aircraft slide show:

FedEx Corporation reports strong second quarter results

FedEx Corporation has reported the following consolidated results for the quarter ended November 30 (adjusted measures exclude the items listed below for the applicable fiscal year):

	Fiscal 2021		Fiscal 2020
	As Reported (GAAP)	Adjusted (non-GAAP)	As Reported (GAAP)	Adjusted (non-GAAP)
Revenue	$20.6 billion	$20.6 billion	$17.3 billion	$17.3 billion
Operating income	$1.47 billion	$1.51 billion	$554 million	$684 million
Operating margin	7.1%	7.4%	3.2%	3.9%
Net income	$1.23 billion	$1.30 billion	$560 million	$660 million
Diluted EPS	$4.55	$4.83	$2.13	$2.51

This year’s and last year’s quarterly consolidated results have been adjusted for:

Impact per diluted share	Fiscal 2021	Fiscal 2020
Mark-to-market TNT Express retirement plan accounting adjustment	$0.15	—
TNT Express integration expenses	0.13	0.19
Aircraft impairment charges	—	0.19

“My sincere appreciation goes out to our nearly 600,000 team members around the world who go above and beyond to keep the world moving during this ongoing pandemic and unprecedented peak season. Our strong revenue and earnings growth during the quarter is a reflection of their continued hard work and commitment to our customers,” said Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corp. chairman and chief executive officer. “These results demonstrate the unparalleled strength of our global express network, the breadth of our e-commerce capabilities, and the dedication of our people.”

Operating results increased due to volume growth in FedEx International Priority and U.S. domestic residential package services and pricing initiatives across all transportation segments. These factors were partially offset by costs to support strong demand and to expand services, variable compensation expense, and COVID-19-related costs, including expenses incurred to ensure the safety of FedEx team members and customers as well as the costs of network contingencies, including additional personnel to support operations through the pandemic.

Net income includes a pretax non cash loss of $52 million ($41 million, net of tax, or $0.15 per diluted share) associated with amending a TNT Express European pension plan to harmonize retirement benefits. Net income also includes a tax benefit of $191 million ($0.71 per diluted share) primarily related to favorable guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service during the quarter. Last year’s results included a tax benefit of $133 million ($0.51 per diluted share) from the recognition of certain foreign tax loss carry forwards.

Outlook

FedEx is not providing an earnings forecast for fiscal 2021. The capital spending forecast for the year remains $5.1 billion.

“The benefits of the investments across our business over the past several years are reflected in our strong second quarter results,” said Michael C. Lenz, FedEx Corp. executive vice president and chief financial officer. “While the overall environment remains uncertain, we expect earnings growth in the second half of fiscal 2021 driven by the anticipated heightened demand for our services as we continue to execute on our strategic priorities.”

First ATR 72-600F is delivered to FedEx Express, operated by ASL Airlines Ireland

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest express transportation company, has announced the delivery of the first ATR 72-600F aircraft to its feeder aircraft network. The delivery of the new state-of-the-art freighter was made from ATR to FedEx in Toulouse, France.

The ATR 72-600F is the first-ever production freighter built by ATR and can carry heavier payloads than ATRs converted from passenger configuration. The aircraft has a large cargo door, allowing for carriage of bulk cargo as well as Unit Load Device (ULD) configurations. It has a bulk capacity of 2,630 cubic feet (74.5 cubic meters), and when in ULD mode it can accommodate up to seven LD3 containers or five 88” x 108” pallets.

FedEx originally announced the purchase agreement with ATR in November 2017. Under the agreement, FedEx Express made a firm purchase of 30 ATR 72-600F aircraft with options to purchase up to 20 more. Subsequent deliveries will be about six aircraft per year over a five-year period. The first ATR aircraft will be operated by ASL Airlines Ireland, a FedEx ATR operator since 2000, as part of the FedEx Express Feeder fleet.

FedEx currently deploys 364 feeder aircraft operating in 56 countries. Most of these feeder aircraft are owned by FedEx and leased and operated by different third-party air carriers under their own operating certificates. The FedEx feeder fleet is comprised of aircraft under 60,000 pounds maximum gross take-off weight and allows the company to provide fast, economical services to small and medium-sized businesses around the world.

The first FedEx Express flight with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine departs from Grand Rapids for Memphis

FedEx Express’ first flight (FDX 884) with Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine departed Grand Rapids, MI Gerald Ford Airport (GRR) at 11 am local time today bound for the Memphis hub.

The flight is being operated with Airbus A300F4-605R N669FE (below).

GRR issued this statement (photos by FedEx):

The first cargo plane carrying Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for domestic use departed from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport at 11 a.m. today – the first of tens of thousands of shipments that will deliver the life-saving vaccine to locations around the nation and then the world.

After the FDA authorized the vaccine for emergency use, the first doses arrived via truck from Pfizer’s headquarters in Portage at 9:45 a.m. The mood was jubilant on the airfield as crews began loading the Airbus A300 in preparation for the one hour and 30-minute flight to Memphis, Tennessee.

Transportation plays a key role in distributing the vaccine, which must be kept at negative 94 Fahrenheit. A wide-body aircraft, the Airbus A300 can carry up to 105,000 pounds of cargo.

“This is a big day for West Michigan and a historic milestone for the world that marks the beginning of the end to the global pandemic,” said Torrance Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “The Ford Airport is honored to play a key role in ensuring the vaccine gets into the hands of healthcare professionals around the country.

“Our continuing investment in infrastructure has ensured we are able to meet the demands of the aggressive delivery schedule. We train and prepare for this all year long to ensure we are ready for whatever challenges come our way.”

The Ford Airport is the closest commercial airport to Pfizer’s Kalamazoo manufacturing operations with the infrastructure needed to support the transportation process. Ford Airport has a 10,000-foot runway, dedicated cargo facility, appropriate ground support and the capacity needed to stage and transport billions of doses of the vaccine.

Talks continue with four global carriers that have expressed interest in transporting the widely anticipated vaccine, which is seen as the beginning of the end of the global pandemic.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Ford Airport has taken a number of steps to make its guest experience as safe and comfortable as possible through its Fly Safe. Fly Ford. campaign. It also recently announced it is serving as a COVID-19 drive-up test site for guests and the community.

Previously GRR issued this statement:

As the Food & Drug Administration gives the green light to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is prepared to serve as a national and international gateway for distribution.

The Ford Airport is the closest airport to Pfizer’s Kalamazoo manufacturing operations with the infrastructure needed to support the transportation process. Ford Airport has a 10,000-foot runway, dedicated cargo facility, appropriate ground support and the capacity needed to stage and transport billions of doses of the vaccine, which must be kept at negative 94 Fahrenheit.

Airport officials have been in talks with four global carriers that have expressed interest in transporting the widely anticipated vaccine, which is seen as the beginning of the end of the global pandemic.

“We’re here, we’re ready to help and we’re eager to get to work,” said Torrance Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “We have invested in the infrastructure needed to accommodate the wide-body aircraft that will be used to transport the vaccine – and we have the team in place to handle the aggressive delivery schedule.

“Ford Airport is honored to be a key part of the distribution chain for Pfizer’s life-saving vaccine. We often say our Airport is the gateway to the world – this gives us the opportunity to underscore that in an exceptionally meaningful way.”

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Ford Airport has taken a number of steps to make its guest experience as safe and comfortable as possible through its Fly Safe. Fly Ford. campaign. It also recently announced it will serve as a COVID-19 drive-up test site for guests and the community.

FedEx to ship first wave of COVID-19 vaccines across the United States

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest express transportation company, announced today that operations are in motion to transport its first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines.

Following the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, FedEx Express will begin transport of the vaccine using its FedEx Priority Overnight^® service supported by FedEx Priority Alert^® advanced monitoring. After months of preparation and close planning with Pfizer, other healthcare companies, and federal and state officials, the first COVID-19 vaccines will move to dosing centers in the United States. Vaccine distribution will be balanced among major cargo carriers, and FedEx is working closely with healthcare customers to prepare for additional vaccine shipments and transportation of critical vaccine-related supplies.

The FedEx network is well-positioned to handle COVID-19 vaccine shipments around the world with temperature-control solutions, near real-time monitoring capabilities and a dedicated healthcare team to support the express transportation of vaccines and bioscience shipments.

“This is among the most important work in the history of our company, and we’re honored to be a part of the effort to help end this pandemic,” said Raj Subramaniam, president and chief operating officer, FedEx Corp. “I am immensely proud of our dedicated team members who continue to go above and beyond to help ensure the safe movement of these critical COVID-19 vaccines, especially during our busiest holiday shipping season to date. This is who we are and what we do at FedEx.”

“We are one of the few companies with the global network and capabilities to keep critical supply chains moving during this unprecedented time,” said Don Colleran, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Express. “Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, FedEx has delivered more than 55 kilotons of personal protective equipment, including more than two billion face masks, and more than 9,600 humanitarian aid shipments around the globe.”

“Time-definite express transportation of critical shipments is exactly what our FedEx Express network was built to do when it launched in 1973,” said Richard W. Smith, regional president of the Americas and executive vice president of global support, FedEx Express. “Almost five decades later, we are proving true to our founding mission by delivering critical COVID-19 vaccines.”

“This is a historic moment and represents a monumental feat for vaccine development and expedient deployment,” said Mike McDermott, president, Pfizer Global Supply. “Outstanding logistics is critical to get our products to those who need them across the country, and we’re happy to partner with FedEx in this historic effort to save lives and put an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

About the technology:

Quick stats about the FedEx network:

Built over 47 years, the FedEx network consists of more than 5,000 facilities, more than 670 aircraft, more than 180,000 vehicles, and – most importantly – nearly 600,000 dedicated team members worldwide.
At present, FedEx Express operates nearly 32,000 flights per month, and roughly half are missions flown by wide body aircraft.
FedEx Express has more than 90 cold chain facilities across five continents with plans to open additional facilities in coming years.
To the extent vaccine shipments may require the use of dry ice, FedEx Express is capable of safely handling those volumes. FedEx Express transports approximately 500,000 dry ice shipments a month.

FedEx Express aircraft photo gallery:

FedEx Express aircraft slide show:

ATR’s first ever purpose-built regional freighter takes flight

ATR has made this announcement:

ATR, the world number one regional aircraft manufacturer, today announces the successful first flight of its new purpose-built regional freighter aircraft. The flight took off at 14:00 from its Saint-Martin site and lasted two hours. During the flight, crew onboard performed a number of tests to measure the new aircraft’s flight envelope and flight performance. The first delivery of this aircraft will be to FedEx Express, the world’s largest cargo airline and express transportation company, who placed a firm order for 30 aircraft, plus 20 options, in November 2017. The arrival of this new freighter further cements ATR’s leadership position in the regional freighter market where ATR cargo aircraft already represent a third of the in-service regional freighter fleet.

The brand new straight-from-factory cargo aircraft will offer a number of unique advantages to operators. With a Large Cargo Door included as part of the original design and the same wide cross section as all ATR aircraft, the freighter will be able to accommodate bulk cargo and industry-standard pallets and containers. The aircraft will also provide operators with the very latest avionics suite, which can be continuously upgraded. This effectively futureproofs the -600F’s state-of-the-art cockpit by allowing cargo airlines to take benefit from future innovations, which will further enhance the aircraft’s efficiency.

Above Copyright Photo: For FedEx Express. (Eurospot)

FedEx Boeing 767-300F N146FE is damaged on landing at LAX

FedEx Express Boeing 767-300F N146FE operating cargo flight FX1026 from Newark to Los Angeles with two crew members made an emergency landing this morning on runway 25R after the crew determined the left main gear was not down and locked.

Social media:

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Return of Panda Express: FedEx returns Bei Bei to China

FedEx Express has brought back its special “Panda Express” markings on the pictured Boeing 777-FHT N883FD. It is third time a FDX 777 has worn the special Panda markings.

Previously N850FD wore the Panda marking on February 4, 2010 followed by N885FD on February 21, 2017.

On November 19, the freighter is pictured at Washington (Dulles) on a 16 hours, 22 minutes 9204 miles nonstop flight to CTU (Chengdu, China) returning Bei Bei, the Panda, from the National Zoo in Washington D.C. to his new home at the Bifengxia Panda Base.

FedEx Express made this announcement:

Bei Bei (BAY-BAY), the 4-year-old giant panda, began his journey to China this morning. FedEx Corp. is providing safe transport for this precious cargo as he is returned home to aid the world’s conservation efforts for this endangered species. Bei Bei departed the Smithsonian’s National Zoo at 9:30 a.m. for Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia where he will board a dedicated FedEx 777F plane bound for Chengdu, China. The non-stop flight will take about 16 hours.

On the morning of the departure, the Zoo’s panda team arrived at 6:30 a.m. to finalize preparations for Bei Bei’s departure. Bei Bei received his last “American breakfast” of bamboo and leafeater biscuits and spent time in his outdoor habitat. Already acclimated from daily training, Bei Bei was called back indoors by assistant curator of giant pandas, Laurie Thompson, and then into the custom travel crate at approximately 8:15 a.m. Zoo staff moved the crate onto a specially decorated forklift that traveled carefully out of the David M. Rubenstein Family Giant Panda Habitat through the Zoo and was loaded on a FedEx truck.

The “FedEx Panda Express,” a custom-decaled 777F aircraft, departed at noon on November 19 from Dulles International Airport. The dedicated flight is part of the company’s FedEx Cares “Delivering for Good” initiative. FedEx uses its global network and logistics expertise to help organizations with mission-critical needs in times of disaster and for special shipments. “FedEx is honored to be entrusted with Bei Bei’s journey to his new home in China,” said Richard W. Smith, executive vice president of Global Support, regional president of the U.S., FedEx Express. “Our team of skilled logistics experts, pilots and drivers take great pride in using their expertise to help support efforts to preserve this beloved, rare animal.”

The specialized travel crate built for FedEx is made of steel and plexiglass and weighs approximately 800 pounds. Laurie Thompson, who has cared for Bei Bei since his birth, and Don Neiffer, chief veterinarian at the Zoo, will make the 8,508-mile trip with him. They will continuously monitor Bei Bei during the trip and are traveling with a supply of his favorite treats, including 66 pounds of bamboo, 2 pounds of apples and pears, two bags of leafeater biscuits, 2 pounds of cooked sweet potatoes and water.

The panda team prepared Bei Bei for the move to make sure he is comfortable and safe during his journey. To slowly acclimate him to the travel crate, keepers asked Bei Bei to walk through it every day. After he became comfortable doing that, they got him used to spending short periods of time in it with the doors closed.

Upon arrival in Chengdu, Bei Bei’s new keepers from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda will meet him on the tarmac and drive him to Bifenxia Panda Base where he will stay in quarantine for approximately 30 days. The American team will follow, and Thompson will remain with Bei Bei for a few days while he acclimates to his new home. Bei Bei will enter the giant panda breeding program when he reaches sexual maturity between 6 and 7 years old.

Giant pandas are listed as “vulnerable” in the wild by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. There are an estimated 1,800 in the wild. FedEx supports the movement of rescued or endangered animals across the country and around the world as part of its commitment to sustainability. FedEx also donated dedicated aircrafts to bring Bei Bei’s older brother Tai Shan to China in 2010, older sister Bao Bao to China in 2017 and their parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, to the United States in 2000.

Top Two Copyright Photos: FedEx Express Boeing 777-FHT N883FD (msn 39285) (FedEx Panda Express) IAD (Brian McDonough). Image: 948339.

FedEx Express aircraft slide show: