FedEx To Turn Shanghai Into Cargo Centre

　　美国联邦快递（FedEx）计划增设从中国到美国、欧洲和以菲律宾苏比克湾为中心的亚太地区的航线，从而使上海成为其亚太地区的洲际货运中心。

US FedEx plans to turn Shanghai into its intercontinental cargo centre in the Asia-Pacific region by adding more flights to its air routes from China to the US, Europe and the Asia-Pacific hub in Subic Bay in the Philippines.

The plans are based on the awarding by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to FedEx of 12 new frequencies , resulting from successful negotiations on rights of navigation between the Chinese and the US governments. "We are looking forward to providing our customers with even more comprehensive service to and from China," said Eddy Chan, head of FedEx Express China. Today, FedEx operates 11 weekly flights to Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen. When finalized, the award will provide FedEx with 23 weekly flights to China, more than doubling its current number of weekly flights and preserving its leadership position as the largest express carrier in China, FedEx said in a statement. "If finalized, six new flights will begin this year and another six in 2005," Chan said. Based on the Sino-US negotiations, the US will add 111 weekly flights to its air routes to China between 2004 and 2010. At present, there are only 54 weekly flights on Sino-US air routes. "Adding new flights to China should be attributed to the express carrier's booming business, with its volume increasing by 52 per cent in its first fiscal quarter (June-August) of 2004, compared with the same period last year," Chan said. "With more flights, we have enough power to compete with our rivals," he said. Reports on FedEx's global business in the first fiscal quarter this year showed that its revenue grew by 23 per cent over the same period last year to reach US$6.98 billion. Its net income came to US$330 million, an increase of 157 per cent over the same period last year.