The company said on Tuesday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, shipping group FedEx will close its Hong Kong pilot base and will rely on California-based pilots to fill vacancies.
In an exclusive report South China Morning Post, FedEx said that it has no choice but to shut down operations because Hong Kong’s strict COVID policy “has no clear timetable” to indicate when life in this big city can return to normal.
“The decision to close the Hong Kong base reflects this continuous evolution and aims to provide these team members with a certain degree of stability, because there is no clear timetable for life in Hong Kong to return to normal,” said Robin, the chief pilot of the FedEx system. Sebasco in the memo obtained Morning paper.
FedEx also issued a public statement: “The global business environment continues to evolve. Following the requirements of the Hong Kong epidemic, FedEx has decided to close its Hong Kong crew base and relocate its pilots.”
The statement continued: “FedEx will continue to maintain its business in Hong Kong, which is vital to our Asia-Pacific and global network.”
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FedEx flights to Hong Kong International Airport will also continue; however, pilots will not be stationed in the city.This will “allow [FedEx] Continue to staff our Hong Kong and Asian flights without Hong Kong entry restrictions,” the company said.
Hong Kong pilots’ routes will be picked up by flight crews currently operating outside FedEx’s pilot base in Oakland, California. However, this change is not expected to affect the supply chain of the shipping giant in the United States.
This is not the first time the company has made changes this year, as FedEx also took measures in early 2021 to deal with the stricter blockade in Hong Kong.
The company announced that it has transferred 180 pilots from Asia to California so that they can avoid quarantining the crew. However, FedEx said the move may not be permanent.
FedEx said in a statement: “This temporary relocation ensures that pilots can see their families immediately after completing the trip, rather than a few weeks later.” “It also eliminates the repeated cycle of self-isolation of our staff in Hong Kong. In the situation.”
According to Hong Kong law, local crew members who are quarantined due to COVID must operate in a closed loop, and they fly for several weeks before the quarantine begins.
However, FedEx said that their Hong Kong pilot base does not have the right personnel to maintain this closed loop.
Despite Tuesday’s news, FedEx is expected to continue to maintain its position as one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies. According to reports, the group’s main aviation hub, Memphis International Airport, is the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2020, even during the COVID pandemic.
The shipping giant is not the only company in Hong Kong that may shrink its business soon.
According to reports, Cathay Pacific, the flagship airline of the big city, is considering moving its pilots out of Hong Kong for at least four months to avoid quarantine restrictions.
It is unclear whether FedEx plans to reopen its Hong Kong pilot base at any time.When contacted for comment, the company mentioned Weekly newspaper To its previous statement.
