FedEx launches direct flight service between Guangzhou and Bengaluru

Federal Express Corporation (FedEx), the world's leading express transportation company, has launched a strategic expansion to enhance South India’s connectivity for vital imports from the Asia-Pacific region while boosting export capabilities to Europe and the USA. The company has introduced a new flight service, establishing a direct connection between Guangzhou and Bengaluru using a Boeing 767-300 freighter.

This expansion strengthens FedEx's operations in Bengaluru, increasing its support to 22 weekly flights to and from the city.

This flight provides faster access to essential imports, such as lithium-ion batteries and components vital to the automotive and electronics industries. It also boosts export capacity to Europe and the US, supporting businesses in healthcare, engineering, automotive, and e-commerce with reliable and efficient logistics to meet global demand, according to an official release from FedEx.

It also aims to reduce transit times in the region by up to one business day. This new flight service streamlines logistics and supply chains, strengthens South India’s role in global trade, and highlights FedEx’s commitment to meeting customer needs while unlocking India’s potential in the global supply chain, the release added.

“India is one of the most exciting economic growth stories in the world today, and as such represents a critical growth market for FedEx.” says Richard W. Smith, Chief Operating Officer, International, and Chief Executive Officer, Airline, FedEx, “I’m excited about the opportunities here in this dynamic and fast-changing region, and am proud to strengthen our commitment to India by connecting local businesses to the world.”

Smith also participated in the event in Bengaluru, which focused on India as a high-growth potential market for the global supply chain and FedEx. In a LinkedIn post, he said, “We celebrated and officially announced the recent launch of the latest flight in our Tricolor Network, connecting Guangzhou, China, directly to Bengaluru, India, and from there linking that market to the world through our Dubai and Liege hubs.”

The Tricolor Network design incorporates FedEx's three signature colours — Purple, Orange, and White to contribute to the $4 billion savings goal outlined in the company's DRIVE programme for fiscal year 2025.

FedEx connection between Guangzhou and Bengaluru marks a significant development, as the FedEx 2024 Economic Impact Report highlights India's substantial growth in global trade, with overall exports hitting a record $777 billion in FY2024 and imports totaling $855 billion.

While a recent FedEx survey indicates that SMEs across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are gearing up for a strong holiday season, it also reveals that 70% of APAC Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) anticipate year-on-year sales growth, with nearly 80% expecting this growth to come from within the region, particularly Southeast Asia.

This aligns with the robust growth of Southeast Asia's e-commerce market, which recorded double-digit expansion in 2024.

“South India plays an important role in India’s growth story, home to some of the country’s leading manufacturers in electronics, automotive, and healthcare,” says Kami Viswanathan, President of Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa, FedEx. “This new flight service is a strategic move by FedEx to meet the region’s growing demand, fulfils time-critical needs, and connects seamlessly to global markets, advancing India’s position as a global manufacturing and export hub.”

FedEx has recently launched a new direct flight from Guangzhou, China, to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta using a Boeing 767-300F.