In 1989, FedEx expanded its service offerings in the region when it purchased Flying Tigers, an all-cargo airline with flying rights to 21 countries. For the first time, FedEx had governmental permission to carry documents, packages and freight to multiple Asian destinations on a regular schedule including: Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand.
As economies across Asia Pacific began to grow and prosper, FedEx's shipment volumes and its presence in the marketplace began to expand as well. Recognizing a need for the company to be closer to Asian customers, FedEx moved its Pacific headquarters from Hawaii to Hong Kong in 1992.
The company's success in meeting customers' needs resulted in the creation of an innovative unparalleled network called FedEx AsiaOne? launched in September 1995. This launch included five trans-Pacific flights, the creation of an Asia Pacific hub in Subic Bay, Philippines, and the creation of an overnight intra-Asian delivery network connecting 11 major Asian centers. The network was expanded to 19 Asian destinations in 2001.
In September 1997, FedEx announced the world's first 'Round-the-World' cargo flight, which originated in Indianapolis, Indiana, and continued to Paris, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Mumbai, India, Bangkok, Thailand, the Subic Bay Asia hub in the Philippines, and ended in Anchorage, Alaska, U.S.
In 2002 FedEx demonstrated its continued efforts in strengthening its intra-Asia network. Sorting capacity at Subic Bay was doubled through facility expansion and enhanced automation for even faster document sorting. Later that year, FedEx strengthened service offering between Asia Pacific and Europe with upgrade of MD-11 aircraft, doubling cargo capacity and expanding volume by 50 tons per day. During the same period, FedEx became the first and only international carrier to offer a Money-Back Guarantee to customers across Mainland China.
In October 2004, FedEx was awarded 12 additional weekly flights to China by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), bringing its total to 23. FedEx opened a new China headquarters in Shanghai in November of that year, enabling the company to be more responsive and fully focused on the needs of its customers.
FedEx introduced further service innovation in 2005. First, FedEx launched the first express direct connection between Mainland China and Europe, providing a daily service from Shanghai to Frankfurt, Germany as part of its Westbound-Round-The-World route. Later that same year, FedEx offered the first overnight express link between India and China as part of a new Eastbound Round-The-World route connecting Europe, India, China and Japan with the FedEx hub in Memphis. Both Round-The-World routes originate and terminate in Memphis. In addition, FedEx announced plans to invest US$150 million into a new Asia Pacific hub at the Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport in southern China.
In January 2006, FedEx announced its agreement to acquire DTW Group's 50 percent share of the FedEx-DTW International Priority express joint venture, and DTW Group's domestic express network in China. Upon closing, FedEx will employ more than 6,000 people in China. The transaction is subject to customary conditions, including government approvals and licensing.
Currently FedEx serves China with 26 frequencies per week. With these frequencies, FedEx will maintain its leadership position with the most all-cargo flights to and from China than any other U.S. cargo airline
FedEx currently serves more than 30 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific market with more than 10,000 employees. Operating its own wide-bodied MD-11 and A310 aircraft, FedEx offers over 400 flights per week to Bangkok, Beijing, Cebu, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Osaka, Penang, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Subic Bay, Sydney, Taipei, and Tokyo, as well as destinations in the U.S. and Europe.
