Johannesburg, Sept. 9, 2019—FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world’s largest express transportation company, is enhancing its services to and from Africa with the introduction of the first regularly scheduled flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.
The flight will travel from Memphis (US), to Dubai (UAE), and onto Johannesburg (South Africa), returning to Dubai (UAE), onto Malpensa (Italy), and then Memphis (US).
“This investment underscores our confidence in the African economies. Africa is an important market for us, with its young population and rapid adoption of new technologies, the continent is well positioned to make a significant impact on global trade. Selecting Johannesburg for the flight demonstrates the potential and importance of the Africa region to FedEx Express, and the role FedEx Express will play in connecting Africa to the world.” said James R. Muhs, Regional President, FedEx Express Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa (MEISA).
Growth across Africa is projected to accelerate to 4% in 2019 and 4.1% in 2020, higher than most other emerging and developing economies¹.
With the Global FedEx network connecting 99% of the world’s GDP, the new flight provides greater connectivity to and from the key trade lanes of Europe, the Middle East and the U.S. This connectivity offers significant advantages for companies across Africa, especially Small to Medium-sized businesses, with access into one of Europe’s major trade hubs. The European Union is Africa’s biggest trading partner, accounting for 33% of total African trade in goods (exports and imports) worth EUR 270,8 billion in 2018².
As part of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which offers incentives for African countries to continue to open their economies and build free markets, both U.S. imports and exports from Sub-Sahara Africa rose in 2018, resulting in an increase in total tradeᵌ. Total trade between South Africa and the UAE has also seen a sharp increase over the last six years, with figures escalating from R6 billion in 2011 to R38.2 billion in 2017, a positive sign of the potential for enhanced trade between the two countries⁴.
Through this flight, FedEx will offer enhanced solutions to meet evolving customer demands and provide opportunities for African businesses to reach their customers across Africa, and around the world.
ENDS