FedEx adds new China-India route
28 / 11 / 2024
Photo: FedEx
FedEx has introduced a new route connecting its Asia Pacific hub in Guangzhou to Bangalore as it looks to capitalise on growing volumes between China and India.
The flight route will operate five times a week and aims to strengthen connectivity between Asia Pacific (APAC) and India while also reducing transit times.
The flight can also connect shipments to FedEx’s European network via the UAE.
“This flight ensures faster access to critical imports such as lithium-ion batteries and components, which are vital for sectors like automotive and electronics,” said FedEx.
“Customers benefit from the new flight route with reduced transit times by one day, ensuring next-day delivery to South India—a critical advantage for the high-tech and automotive industries in the region.”
“Moreover, this network adjustment allows businesses to manage imports and exports to and from India and Europe with increased service reliability.”
Air Cargo News has requested more information from FedEx on the type of aircraft that will be used and the timings of the stops on the route.
“Asia Pacific businesses are increasingly prioritizing cross-border trade, and building a resilient global network is vital to unlocking growth opportunities,” said Kawal Preet, president, Asia Pacific, FedEx.
“This air network enhancement is a reflection of our confidence in the future of Asia Pacific and allows us to provide smarter logistics solutions connecting businesses flexibly, efficiently, and intelligently to key markets.
“As demand for timely deliveries continues to rise, we are committed to providing seamless, faster, and more reliable service, helping businesses thrive during this peak holiday season and beyond.”
FedEx said a recent survey it carried out revealed that APAC businesses are anticipating year-on-year sales growth this holiday season.
The carrier pointed out that as of fiscal year 2024, China continues to be India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching $118.4bn – $101.7bn in imports from China and $16.67bn in exports to China.
The Asia-to-Europe corridor remains one of the world’s busiest, with China leading in exports of machinery, electronics, and high-tech goods, which make up a large portion of the region’s exports.
Earlier this month, FedEx increased the frequency of its freighter flights between Qingdao, China and the US. The flights depart from Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport and operate via Osaka, Japan, to FedEx’s hub in Memphis, Tennessee.
The latest IATA World Air Transport Statistics (WATS) report shows that FedEx retained the top spot amongst the top 25 cargo airlines last year, although it suffered an 8.3% drop in volume to 17.9bn CTK.
