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SCMP Reporter

AN overnight door-to-door air cargo service to 11 Asian destinations and North and South America will be available to Hong Kong shippers next month.

Federal Express (FedEx), the world's largest air express transport company, will launch a network of Asian night flights to Subic Bay, the Philippines, on August 1.

Shippers will be able to send air express goods as late as 5 pm for next-day delivery to Manila, Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Rangoon.

'Parcels, documents, packages and large freight will be delivered in the major cities before noon the next day,' said John Allison, FedEx managing director for Hong Kong.

'We are certain our Subic Bay hubbing facility is so efficient, delivery to major destinations can be guaranteed by the end of the next business day.

'However, a money-back guarantee does not apply for goods held up in customs or when shippers fail to give necessary information on airways bills,' he said.

Following the launch of the Subic Bay hub, FedEx would be serving 201 countries, including eight former Soviet states and Burma, he said.

This year, the company received route authority in China and introduced service to Slovenia and extended routes in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific rim.

In remote places, or countries where demand for express services was limited, FedEx used agents and commercial flights to transport goods.

Agents were used to distribute freight going into remote countries and most commercial flights in the Asian region would connect with the Subic Bay hub.

However, using agents did not detract from the FedEx service and the company installed its tracking computer system in agents' offices, Mr Allison said.

'They use the same computer system that is used in Hong Kong and will get all the same information,' he said.

'Our main aim is to increase the number of countries we serve.

'In Asia, we have full services in most major cities.' The company used its air freighter fleet to move express shipments and ran four daily flights across the Pacific to Anchorage.

Six more aircraft would be added to the company's hubbing systems when the Subic Bay operation started, he said.

The company began a second night flight to Subic Bay, connecting the Philippines with North America on July 1. Although the company had its own aircraft and could provide a 'flexible' service, it used commercial flights when necessary, Mr Allison said.

The hub handled both traditional air cargo and express and sorted consignments.

There were expansion plans for the opening of the 24-hour Chek Lap Kok airport.

 FedEx hoped that by then more aircraft from the United States and Subic Bay would fly to the territory, giving shippers early-morning delivery from Asia and later delivery cut-offs.

Round-the-clock operations would also enable the company to use new flight-time slots and commercial flights to connect with its Subic Bay hub.

The new airport express cargo terminal would give FedEx greater control over handling and sorting its express shipments, Mr Allison said.



Over the moon