FedEx has announced an increase in the frequency of its freighter flights from Qingdao, China, to the United States, enhancing its service capabilities following the opening of its new international gateway at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport. The flights, operated by a Boeing 777 freighter, now run five times per week, Monday through Friday, up from the previous weekly service trial that began in May. The route includes a stop in Osaka, Japan, before continuing to FedEx’s global hub in Memphis, Tennessee.
This expanded service improves transit times for shipments from Qingdao and Shandong Province to North America by a full day and enables next-day delivery for select cities, including Qingdao, Yantai, Weihai, Jinan, Zibo, and Weifang. The new flights mark Qingdao as FedEx’s fifth gateway in China, joining facilities in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, which collectively manage 300 weekly flights.
The 2,000-square-meter (21,500-square-foot) Qingdao hub features a fully automated sorting system, boosting capacity for processing inbound and outbound shipments. FedEx has designated Qingdao as a strategic hub in China, supporting growing trade demands and facilitating efficient cargo handling.
During the first nine months of 2024, cargo and mail throughput at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport surpassed 200,000 tonnes, a 10.5% year-over-year increase. This growth aligns with FedEx’s expansion strategy, which also includes planned facility upgrades at Clark International Airport in the Philippines, announced in July.
FedEx Asia Pacific president emphasized the timing of the expanded service, stating, “Our enhanced connection between Qingdao and the US fortifies one of the world’s most critical trade corridors, supporting Asian businesses’ success, particularly during the peak holiday shopping season.”
This expansion strengthens FedEx’s logistics network, enhancing trade efficiency and capacity in the Asia-Pacific region as demand for fast, reliable trans-Pacific shipments continues to grow.