FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, today announces the launch of a new intercontinental flight between Europe and Japan, giving customers improved direct connectivity to the country and additional capacity to Japan and Northern China. The flight, operated by a Boeing 777, adds approximately 440,000 pounds of additional capacity per week. It departs from Charles-de-Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, and flies four times per week directly to Kansai International Airport in Osaka, Japan. It will then go on to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou, China. Additionally, one day a week, a flight will leave Charles-de-Gaulle Airport to Singapore Changi Airport, before travelling on to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, adding another 110,000 pounds of weekly capacity.
These new connections – along with the company’s recently announced flights for Asia Pacific exporters – strengthen the FedEx commitment to meeting customer demand, particularly for e-commerce shipments in the region. In June 2021 FedEx reported a growth of e-commerce parcel volume by more than $1 billion year over year out of Asia and Europe. The new flight will support businesses that operate on EU-Japan and intra-Asian lanes by improving access to APAC markets, many of which are rebounding following the initial shock economies experienced in 2020. Key benefits for European businesses include:
•Direct connectivity to Japan – customers will benefit from delivery within 48 hours to many key cities in Japan.
•Additional capacity to other APAC markets – this flight provides customers with additional capacity for express and freight shipments.
“Online retail sales in APAC generated approximately $2.45 trillion in 2020 – and with research suggesting e-commerce sales in APAC are expected to almost double by 2025, it is crucial that European businesses can easily and reliably access the growth potential this region offers,” said Karen Reddington, President of FedEx Express Europe. “Our latest network enhancement means European businesses now have improved access to the enormous growth opportunities available in Japan and other APAC markets, and they can rely on FedEx as a partner to grow their business on this thriving trade lane.”
Businesses of all sizes in towns and cities across the UK and Ireland already export a wide range of goods and services to Japan. In the UK, almost 8,500 businesses already export to the country. 89% of those businesses are small and medium-sized enterprises and over 90,000 jobs are supported by export activity. Similarly, 503 Irish companies already export to Japan with over 7,500 people employed in the export process. The new route will support businesses looking to expand into a major growth market.
Brian DeCair, Vice President Operations Northern UK, Scotland & Ireland at FedEx Express said: “We are excited to be adding a new flight into our network giving British and Irish businesses greater access to a major growth market. This will become even more important as e-commerce continues to surge and capacity is needed to facilitate online traders exporting to APAC.”
The high-growth APAC markets will appeal to many European businesses looking to grow in the region. Japanese global imports increased by 28.3% between May 2020 and May 2021, and Europe accounts for 16% of all Japanese imports ($103 billion). Japan is also the fourth largest e-commerce market. As one of the leading express logistics players in the APAC region, FedEx currently operates more than 200 weekly flights in and out of APAC to trans-Pacific and European destinations, connecting EU and APAC customers to the company’s extensive global network.
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