FedEx has officially launched its first direct cargo flight from Singapore to the United States on Wednesday, Apr 15, to strengthen trade connectivity between Southeast Asia and North America. The new route, which commenced operations on March 31, operates six times weekly using Boeing 777 freighters and eliminates the need for transits through Japan, cutting transit time by up to a full day.
Kawal Preet, President of FedEx Asia-Pacific, described the initiative as a strategic investment that supports the company’s long-term growth plan in the region. “As the region remains an essential manufacturing and export hub, this new service gives businesses faster, more direct access to the US,” she said.
Each flight can carry approximately 88,000 kilograms of cargo, departing from the FedEx South Pacific Regional Hub at Changi Airport. With this addition, FedEx becomes the only logistics provider offering a non-stop cargo route from Singapore to the continental United States.
The new service allows shipments collected on Saturdays in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand to arrive in the US by Monday, rather than Tuesday—an improvement welcomed by businesses seeking speed and efficiency in global logistics.
Chan Ih-ming, Executive Vice-President of the Singapore Economic Development Board, highlighted the route as a milestone for FedEx’s regional hub and a testament to Singapore’s standing as a global air cargo hub.
Responding to concerns about the timing of the launch amid the US administration’s recently imposed blanket tariffs on imports, Preet maintained that the route reflects FedEx’s confidence in Southeast Asia’s long-term economic prospects. “With the current uncertainties in the global trade outlook, naturally, businesses focused on exports may take a more cautious approach in the short-to-medium term. Our new flight is a strategic response to the long-term prospects for the region’s economic growth,” she noted.
In 2024, FedEx relocated its regional headquarters from Hong Kong to Singapore, reinforcing its focus on Southeast Asia as a key driver of Asia-Pacific’s future trade and logistics expansion.
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