FEDEX Express has announced the launch of a new trans-Tasman air freight service connecting Australia and New Zealand in response to the “rapid” growth of trade between the two countries.
The service will connect Christchurch, Auckland and Melbourne, and is expected to improve transit times and allow businesses more time to prepare shipments.
Flights will be operated by Airwork, New Zealand’s largest aviation company, with dedicated block space allotted to FedEx.
FedEx Express said the new service will run five times a week, adding to the existing five flights on the Sydney-Auckland-Sydney route each week.
The new service will increase capacity in the transportation of e-commerce, healthcare (cold chain), automotive, agricultural and other critical spare parts shipments.
FedEx said air cargo tonnage on these routes is predicted to increase by 7.7% from Australia to New Zealand, and by 7.8% from New Zealand to Australia this year.
“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,” FedEx Express Australasia vice president Peter Langley said.
“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.
“With this additional service, we’ll have ten weekly flights enhancing connections for Aussie and Kiwi businesses including small and medium-sized businesses, looking to expand trade activity.”
According to FedEx Express, the introduction of the new service will extend the shipment cut-off time for customers in Melbourne by two hours.
It will also reportedly allow customers in Christchurch to access next-day international priority shipping to Australia.
