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Press Releases
HONG KONG, February 13, 1998 - Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has signed an agreement with Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT) for cargo handling operations at the new Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok. The agreement was signed by John Quinn, vice president for China and Mid Pacific Region of FedEx and See Seng Wan, chief executive officer of AAT at a ceremony held in the China and Mid Pacific headquarters of FedEx.
Asia Airfreight Terminal, an international consortium comprised of six partners, has a franchise agreement granted by the Airport Authority to operate an air cargo terminal at the new Hong Kong International Airport. The consortium will offer services including physical cargo handling, document handling and customs clearance to the airline industry. Capital investment by AAT in the terminal is in excess of HK$800 million.
"Our agreement with AAT is a vote of confidence. We know the consortium can provide the best cargo handling services for Hong Kong. Members of AAT have a proven track record in the operation of modern airfreight terminals," said John Quinn. "We anticipate having the facilities completed by April 1998, and our partnership with AAT will result in quality services to FedEx's customers."
FedEx is one of the six shareholders of the consortium. Other members of the consortium include Singapore Airport Terminal Services Pte Ltd. (a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines), Changi International Airport Services Pte Ltd., China Merchants Shipping and Enterprises Pte Ltd., Torres Investments Ltd., and Keppel Telecommunications and Transportation Ltd.
"FedEx customers will significantly benefit from our operations at the new airport and AAT Terminal. The airport will operate on a 24-hour basis, and we will be able to sort, customs clear and distribute shipments through the one facility," remarked David Ross, managing director of FedEx Hong Kong. "We are able to streamline our processes at the new facility, giving us greater flexibility in providing enhanced service to customers."
"We are fully committed to working with FedEx to ensure that its customers continue to enjoy the high quality service it has come to associate with FedEx. The same level of commitment is guaranteed to airlines who appoint AAT as its cargo handling agent," said Mr. See of AAT.
"AAT has invested in a modern airfreight terminal with a designed handling capacity of more than 400,000 tonnes of cargo per year. The airfreight terminal is equipped with the latest material handling system and the full range of storage facilities to provide a one-stop, comprehensive and flexible cargo handling service to meet all the handling requirements of its airlines customers," added Mr. See. "AAT will be 100 per cent ready to serve its customers when the airport opens in July 1998."
Within the agreement, FedEx will be leasing 2,500 square meters of warehouse space for dedicated sorting operations as well as 750 square meters for office space. The company expects to employ 100 people at the airport facility which provides direct air-side access to FedEx's sort operations. FedEx will operate a dual-conveyor belt system with the capacity to handle 9,000 documents per hour and 6,000 non-documents per hour.
FedEx has implemented a broad distribution strategy with multiple operating stations throughout Hong Kong. The company is not expected to make changes in this strategy after the new airport opens. Shipments will be taken directly from the stations to the airport.
FedEx currently serves more than 30 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific market with approximately 4,800 employees. The company provides the most extensive trans-Pacific airlift of any major competitor. Operating its own wide-bodied MD-11, DC-10 and A310 aircraft, FedEx offers over 250 flights per week to the following locations: Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Osaka, Penang, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Subic Bay, Taipei, and Tokyo, as well as destinations in the U.S.
Federal Express connects areas that generate 90 per cent of the world's gross domestic product in 24 to 48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service with a money-back guarantee. The company's unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast, reliable and time-definite transportation of 3 million items in 211 countries each working day. FedEx employs approximately 140,000 people and has more than 43,000 drop-off locations, 600 aircraft and 39,500 vehicles in its integrated global network. The company maintains electronic connections with more 850,000 customers via FedEx PowerShip®, FedEx Ship® and FedEx interNetShipSM. Federal Express reported revenues of US $11.5 billion for its fiscal year ended May 31,1997.
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