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Press Releases
HONG KONG, March 18, 1998 - Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) is pleased to announce that it will start flying its own wide-bodied Airbus A310 aircraft to Cebu five days a week, starting April 7, 1998.
The new flight schedule will connect to the FedEx AsiaOne network based in FedEx's Asia Pacific Hub in Subic Bay. It will stop at the Mactan International Airport to pick up packages and freight in Cebu, transit to Jakarta, Indonesia, then fly on to Singapore from where it will continue to the United States.
"Our Asia Pacific Hub in Subic Bay is the centerpiece of FedEx's Asian strategy for the provision of high-value-added, time-definite services. Connecting Cebu to the AsiaOne network with an A310 aircraft clearly defines FedEx's strong commitment to the Philippine market," says David L. Cunningham, vice president, FedEx South Pacific region.
Cunningham explained that, over the recent past, Cebu has grown dramatically as a business center. The province has consistently posted a record export growth averaging almost 20 per cent over the last five years.
The market situation in the province of Cebu right now calls for enhanced and superior air express transportation service. Shipments, such as electronic components, industrial products, garments, toys and furniture, need to be transported out of Cebu to world markets.
"Our commitment as a trading partner to the South Pacific region, which includes the Philippines, results in dedicating an A310 aircraft so our customers in Cebu can have greater access to global markets," he adds.
Alberto D. Lina, chairman of Airfreight 2100, the Global Service Participant and sole licensee of FedEx in the Philippines, has expressed excitement about the future of business in Cebu.
"Cebu has lots of room for growth and we are very excited to be here. Export sales, not only in Cebu, but also in the Central Visayas area as a whole, have been increasing historically. As a matter of fact, Central Visayas posted export sales of US$1.69 billion last year. Some of the country's biggest exporters have established themselves in Cebu, including leading names such as National Semiconductor, Timex Philippines, Cebu Mitsumi, Asahi Optical Philippines, and many others. These top exporters will always welcome a business ally like FedEx with world-renowned expertise in global logistics management and transportation services", Lina said.
Equally enthusiastic, Rhicke Jennings, FedEx's managing director for the South Pacific region, confirmed that it is difficult not to acknowledge the great potential of the province. "Electronics components will always be one of the top dollar earners of this country's export sector, and Cebu's Mactan Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) is a strong player in the electronic exports of the Philippines, contributing some US$1.63 billion of last year's export sales," he said.
FedEx recently renewed its business contract with Airfreight 2100 in the Philippines.
"We are very excited about what lies ahead. The new contract definitely gives our operations all the extra ability we need to help the Philippines remain even more competitive globally," explained Lina.
Airfreight 2100 and FedEx have a total of 1,014 employees in the Philippines serving 446 towns and cities, with 20 credited stations and 32 World Service Centers nationwide.
FedEx currently serves more than 30 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific market with approximately 5,000 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 260 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 and 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 3.1 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 than 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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