FedEx says its subsidiary FedEx Express has announced the launch of a new trans-Tasman service directly connecting Christchurch, Auckland, and Melbourne.
The express transportation company notes Airwork will operate the flight by dedicating block space to FedEx. With this, FedEx customers can enjoy greater connectivity, shorter transit times, and additional capacity to send shipments between Australia and New Zealand.
“We’re excited to launch this new route as part of our continuous effort to bring better and stronger connections for customers, especially in a corridor of such importance to bilateral trade, and Australian and New Zealand businesses,” Peter Langley, Vice President of FedEx Express Australasia, says.
“Australian exports to New Zealand grew more than US $8 billion during 2021, while New Zealand’s exports to Australia grew to US $5.5 billion,” he adds.
He says with this additional service, FedEx will have 10 weekly flights enhancing connections for Aussie and Kiwi businesses including small and medium-sized businesses looking to expand trade activity.
FedEx says the new service will run five times a week between Christchurch-Auckland-Melbourne, adding to the existing five flights on the Sydney-Auckland-Sydney route each week.
It adds that ANZ customers will benefit from the increased capacity and reliability to transport e-commerce, healthcare (cold chain), automotive, agricultural, and other critical spare parts shipments.
It says air cargo tonnage on these routes is predicted to increase by 7.7 per cent Australia-to-New Zealand and 7.8 per cent New Zealand-to-Australia this year.
The key benefits from the new trans-Tasman service for ANZ businesses include:
- More time for Melbourne customers to prepare shipments – the cut-off time for customers in Melbourne is now 5pm, which is a two-hour improvement.
- Improved transit times – customers in Christchurch will now have access to next-day International Priority shipping service to Australia, while those in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane who ship to Christchurch will see a one-day improvement for International Priority Freight services.
- Acceptance of Dangerous Goods (DG) – new DG capability in Christchurch, New Zealand.
For more information on FedEx Express, click here.