FedEx Corp. predicts it will move a record-breaking 317 million shipments between Black Friday (27 November) and Christmas Eve. This forecast marks a 12.4 per cent increase in year-over-year seasonal volume. The season is expected to be bolstered by three volume spikes in the US, including Cyber Monday (30 November) and the first two Mondays in December, when the company expects to move more than double its average daily volume.
In the Asia Pacific region, different ‘spikes’ are anticipated. One notable example is China’s ‘Singles’ Day’ on 11 November. Due to the huge popularity of the occasion in recent years, China’s State Post Bureau anticipates that this year will see a maximum of 140 million packages being handled per day on the days immediately following Singles’ Day – an increase of 40 per cent compared to the same period last year.
“The rise of e-commerce is particularly pronounced in our region, and this translates into ever-increasing volumes of shipments at this time of year,” said Karen Reddington, president, FedEx Express Asia Pacific. “Our strategic investments, operational strength of our network, and more than 17,000 dedicated team members across the region – backed by more than 300,000 of their colleagues worldwide – are poised to deliver a holiday season to remember.”
FedEx says it has taken several measures to prepare for the busy Peak season, including continued strategic investment in network growth and capacity, enhanced the capabilities of its global network through a fleet modernisation program that saw 30 more reliable and efficient aircraft added over the past year (two B777Fs, 18 B767Fs and 10 B757Fs).
FedEx Express also added Enhanced Vision Systems to 250 aircraft, which will greatly improve pilots’ ability to land in low visibility conditions and mitigate potential weather delays. The company is the only US carrier with FAA approval to use the technology as low as 100 feet on instrument approaches.
FedEx Express is also modernising its ground fleet by adding over 7,000 new, fuel-efficient vehicles in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 combined and FedEx Express offers FedEx Global Returns in the Asia Pacific region – a shipping solution designed to simplify the worldwide returns process. This helps online retailers to manage their customers’ product returns experience, including editable return labels, customs documentation and flexible return destinations.
