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Press Releases
Express transportation leader to airlift giant pandas
from China to Washington, D.C.
HONG KONG, November 22, 2000 - FedEx Express ("FedEx"), the
world's largest express transportation company, will use
its extensive global transportation network to ship two giant
pandas from China to the Smithsonian Institution's National
Zoological Park in Washington, D.C.
Providing air transportation, ground transportation and logistical
support, FedEx will transport the pandas on December 6, 2000.
Currently housed at the China Research and Conservation Center
for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan Province, the pandas
will be flown on a FedEx MD-11 jet from Chengdu, China, to
Washington Dulles International Airport. From the airport,
a caravan of FedEx vehicles will deliver the pandas to the
National Zoo.
"The commitment of FedEx to bring the giant pandas to the
United States highlights our support of the communities in
which we do business, as well as our support of animal conservation
and education efforts, and it showcases our unparalleled
express transportation services to and from China," said
Eddy Chan, Regional Vice President, FedEx China and Mid-Pacific
Region. "FedEx is honored to be the trusted carrier that
brings the pandas to the Smithsonian National Zoo, allowing
millions to view these unique animals."
In addition to sponsoring the entire transport, FedEx provided
funding for two custom-built transport containers which will
house the pandas during their 17-hour flight. Tian Tian,
the three-year-old male panda, and Mei Xiang, the two-year-old
female panda, will be aboard a custom-painted FedEx MD-11
jet, to be renamed "FedEx PandaOne," during the trans-Pacific
journey. Veterinarians from the National Zoo and China Research
and Conservation Center for the Giant Panda have been granted
special flight privileges so they can accompany the pandas
during the air transport. Over the past five months, FedEx
representatives in the United States and China have worked
with both U.S. and Chinese government officials, as well
as National Zoo representatives, so that all necessary precautions
have been taken to provide a safe and comfortable flight
for the pandas.
FedEx PandaOne to Arrive in U.S. December 6
Departing Chengdu on December 6, 2000, at 11 a.m. (China
time), FedEx PandaOne will fly eastward, cross the International
Date Line, and make a stop at the FedEx facility in Anchorage,
Alaska. In Anchorage, FedEx PandaOne will refuel and change
crews, as the special shipment is expedited through Customs.
While flight times often vary due to weather and wind conditions,
FedEx PandaOne is scheduled to touch down at Washington Dulles
International Airport on Wednesday, December 6, at 3 p.m.
Due to regulations, all panda shipment departures and arrivals
at the three airports will be closed to the general public.
FedEx is providing logistical support and ground transportation
for the pandas' safe arrival at the National Zoo. A caravan
of FedEx vehicles will transport Tian Tian and Mei Xiang
from the airport to the National Zoo during the final leg
of their international journey.
In preparation for the pandas arrival, FedEx has launched
a new web site dedicated to the panda shipment. Located at
www.fedex.com/pandas, "Absolutely, Positively É PANDAS" will
provide transportation updates, a panda arrival countdown
clock, and the ability to track the pandas during the December
6 transport.
FedEx Provides Unparalleled Service to China When FedEx entered
the Chinese marketplace in 1984, it began putting in place
the critical elements needed to provide consistent express
freight and document transport. FedEx now serves 190 cities
in China, and plans to expand service to 100 additional cities
within the next five years. FedEx provides reliable pickup
and delivery, international line-haul using its own aircraft
to link China to the extensive FedEx regional and global
networks, and rapid customs clearance. Via the FedEx AsiaOne®
network, FedEx provided Chinese importers and exporters with
fast and reliable access to cities throughout Asia and the
rest of the world.
FedEx employs more than 6,300 people and serves more than
30 countries and territories in the Asia Pacific region,
and it provides the industry's most extensive trans-Pacific
airlift. Operating its own wide-bodied aircraft, FedEx offers
over 260 flights per week to Bangkok, Beijing, Cebu, Hong
Kong, Jakarta, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Osaka, Penang,
Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, Subic Bay, Sydney,
Taipei and Tokyo, as well as to destinations in the U.S.
and Europe. In January, FedEx will begin service to Ho Chi
Minh City, Vietnam.
FedEx Transports Many Unusual Shipments
FedEx has a long history of transporting rare and delicate
cargo. FedEx has shipped many unusual animals, including
white tigers, elephants, rhinoceros, lions, gorillas, eagles
and even a 13-foot tiger shark used in filming the movie
"Jaws." Most recently, FedEx shipped thoroughbred horses
for both the U.S. and Canadian Olympic equestrian teams to
and from the 2000 Summer Olympics in Australia.
Other unusual international cargo transported by FedEx includes
a yacht for the U.S. sailing team for the 2000 Paralympic
Games, a windmill from Denmark, an 11,000-pound helicopter,
an eight-ton statue of a war hero, a five-ton communications
satellite, and tour equipment for Michael Jackson and The
Rolling Stones. As title sponsor of the CART FedEx Championship
Series, FedEx handles the movement of more than 50 race cars
throughout CART's 20-race schedule to five countries on four
continents.
FedEx Express, a $15 billion subsidiary of FedEx Corp., connects
areas that generate 90% of the world's gross domestic product
in 24-48 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 more than 3.3 million
items to 210 countries each working day. FedEx employs approximately
149,000 employees and has more than 46,000 drop-off locations,
663 aircraft and 49,000 vehicles in its integrated global
network. The company maintains electronic connections with
more than 2.5 million customers via FedEx® Ship Manager Workstation,
FedEx® ShipManager Software and FedEx interNetShip®.
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