Flight FX5286, operated by FedEx, lands at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport on Nov 11. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Flight FX5286, operated by FedEx, landed at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport on Nov 11, marking the completion of the first flight since the comprehensive upgrade of the international freight route from Qingdao to the United States by FedEx, one of the world's largest express transportation companies.

The route now operates five flights per week, shortening the transport time for packages and heavy cargo from Qingdao and Shandong to North America by a day, with the possibility of next-day delivery.

Qingdao is a major gateway for import and export trade in Shandong province and an important strategic city for FedEx's operations in China. In the first three quarters this year, the total import and export value of Qingdao reached 681.82 billion yuan ($94.3 billion), a year-on-year increase of 2.9 percent, ranking first among all cities in Shandong. Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport handled a cargo throughput of 206,000 metric tons during the January to September period, a year-on-year increase of 10.3 percent.

In addition to the route upgrade, FedEx's new international port operation center at Qingdao Jiaodong International Airport has been officially put into operation. This center, covering an area of approximately 2,000 square meters and equipped with an automated sorting system, enhances FedEx's handling capacity and operational efficiency for import and export goods, providing customers with efficient and smooth logistics and customs clearance experiences.

"Since entering the Chinese market in 1984, FedEx has been committed to growing alongside China. The comprehensive upgrade of this route and the official launch of the international port operation center will further distinguish FedEx in the market. By providing one-stop services for the global transportation of packages and heavy cargo, as well as intelligent digital solutions, we bring more value to the business development of our Chinese customers,” said Xu Baoyan, senior vice-president of FedEx and president of FedEx China.

The upgraded route now operates five flights per week, shortening the transport time for packages and heavy cargo from Qingdao and Shandong to North America. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]