express carrier

Blizzard cripples US air cargo operations

Planes on the tarmac in snowy weather.

A major winter storm moving through the eastern half of the U.S. is snarling express delivery and air cargo operations, with carriers grounding aircraft and shutting terminals in many airports due to hazardous conditions.

FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX) said in a service bulletin that it experienced substantial disruptions overnight at its Memphis, Tennessee, and Indianapolis hubs due to freezing rain and snow, respectively. 

“Potential delays are possible for package deliveries across the U.S. with a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/blizzard-cripples-us-air-cargo-operations

Amazon Air begins daily express delivery to Wichita, Kansas

A white propeller plane with Prime Air lettering in light blue.

Amazon Air has expanded its network into Kansas for the first time with the opening of a regional gateway facility at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport, as it continues a relentless push to bring air access to more of the country to support expedited delivery for Prime customers.

The electronic retail and logistics giant’s private airline launched daily cargo service between Wichita and its regional hub at Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas on Thursday. The flights are operated by Silver...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/amazon-air-begins-daily-express-delivery-to-wichita-kansas

FedEx air shipments delayed as omicron variant sickens pilots

FedEx aircraft on the ground waiting to be loaded on a sunny day.

The rise in COVID infections fueled by the omicron variant and bad weather that has forced passenger airlines to cancel thousands of flights is now disrupting operations at FedEx Express.

The parcel and freight carrier warned Friday that staffing problems due to rising infection rates among pilots and ground personnel in its air network, combined with severe winter weather events, are slowing deliveries.

“We are implementing contingency plans and adjusting operations to minimize delays while...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-air-shipments-delayed-as-omicron-variant-sickens-pilots

FedEx shutters Hong Kong pilot base over COVID restrictions

Purple tail fins of FedEx planes parked at airport.

FedEx Express is abandoning its pilot base in Hong Kong because of restrictive COVID health and travel rules that make it difficult for the parcel carrier’s airline to operate efficiently.

In late January, FedEx (NYSE: FDX) relocated at significant expense about 180 of its Hong Kong-domiciled pilots and their families to San Francisco so they wouldn’t be subject to lengthy quarantines required by Hong Kong authorities after returning from trips. The express delivery company said at the time that...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-shutters-hong-kong-pilot-base-over-covid-restrictions

DHL launches intra-European airline to meet e-commerce demand

A mustard-colored DHL cargo plane touches down on a runway.

DHL Express on Monday launched a new cargo airline to add capacity and faster transit for its cross-border express network in Europe as demand for express package shipments continues to grow.

DHL Air Austria, based at the Vienna airport, will have a fleet of 18 Boeing 757 converted freighters imported from DHL’s former U.K. operation and about 176 pilots, the company said.

The new in-house airline is part of a restructuring within the DHL Aviation organization. Earlier this year, DHL decided to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/dhl-launches-intra-european-airline-to-meet-e-commerce-demand

ATSG sends B767 cargo retrofits to Boeing for first time

A white cargo jet with wheels down takes off against a gray sky.

Air Transport Services Group has contracted with Boeing for the first time to convert four more used 767-300 passenger planes to a full cargo configuration as it expands its fleet to meet growing shipping demand, the aerospace manufacturer said Wednesday.

ATSG (NASDAQ: ATSG) is the world’s largest lessor of 767-300s and owns two cargo airlines that operate more than 90 Boeing (NYSE: BA) 767 converted freighters for customers such as Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), DHL Express and the Defense Department....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/atsg-sends-b767-cargo-retrofits-to-boeing-for-first-time

New DHL Express hub at Paris airport cuts delivery times

A big yellow warehouse with the DHL logo on the roof, looking down from above with an aircraft approaching in the distance.

DHL Express has opened an expanded international parcel hub at Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport to support cross-border trade as e-commerce shipments continue to proliferate. The $200 million facility (170 million euros) is 10 times larger than the previous site, the express delivery company said Tuesday.

The facility is DHL Express’ largest investment in Europe in recent years and the biggest ever in France, where DHL has also invested $94.2 million in warehouse and delivery infrastructure over...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-dhl-express-hub-at-paris-airport-cuts-delivery-times

Atlas Air inks 747 freighter contract with FedEx

Atlas Air jumbo jets with blue and gold lettering sit on tarmac at dawn.

Atlas Air said Wednesday it is operating two Boeing 747-400 freighters for FedEx Express (NYSE: FDX) full time under a new long-term contract. The deal is in addition to the all-cargo carrier’s existing multiyear peak-season contract that provides FedEx with a minimum of five aircraft during the fourth quarter.

FedEx (NYSE: FDX) is adding supplemental airlift to keep up with growing international e-commerce volumes in its express network. During its fiscal first quarter ended Aug. 31, FedEx’s...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/atlas-air-inks-747-freighter-contract-with-fedex

Eastern Airlines enters air cargo market with ‘freighter-light’ model

An Eastern Airlines jet on tarmac in front of a hangar building.

Eastern Airlines, a small, relatively unknown passenger carrier, is making a significant play to join the air cargo big league with an unusual business model centered on stripping out seats from used aircraft rather than converting them to a traditional freighter that can carry heavy shipments on the main deck.

The Wayne, Pennsylvania-based company on Wednesday announced it has purchased 35 Boeing 777 widebody aircraft and plans to launch service targeted at the e-commerce and express delivery...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/eastern-airlines-enters-air-cargo-market-with-freighter-light-model

Report: Amazon Air puts 70% of US population within next-day reach

An Amazon Air jet takes off.

An expanded route network, more sophisticated scheduling through hub airports and greater use of partner airlines to supplement its fleet have significantly enhanced Amazon Air’s ability to conduct overnight deliveries, according to new research from DePaul University.

During the past six months, Amazon’s private airline has plugged critical gaps in its network and increased flight activity to position itself for what is expected to be an enormous holiday season for online shopping in 2021. It...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/report-amazon-air-puts-70-of-us-population-within-next-day-reach

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