Celebrating Four Decades of Transatlantic Connections: FedEx's Journey

According to a recent announcement from FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), the company is marking 40 years as it launched its first scheduled transatlantic service.On june 15, 1985, seven Boeing 727s took off, creating essential air routes between New York, london, and Brussels—an event that considerably transformed global trade and connectivity.

Fast forward to today: just over a decade after its inception in Little Rock, Arkansas, FedEx had already established crucial links between the U.S.and major Western European cities.This transatlantic route was more than just about package delivery; it set the stage for an era of deep economic interconnection.The rise of personal computers and the decline of fax machines coincided with an explosion in air freight services for everything from medical supplies to fresh produce.

The journey of FedEx from its modest beginnings is truly inspiring. Launched in 1973 with only 186 packages delivered on day one, it has now evolved into a powerhouse managing over 17 million shipments daily across the globe.

The operational growth has been staggering as well. Starting out by serving merely 25 cities in the U.S.,FedEx now connects more than 220 countries worldwide—bridging gaps that once seemed insurmountable.this remarkable expansion is fueled by a workforce that has grown from just under four hundred employees to over half a million dedicated individuals committed to ensuring versatility and efficiency in our fast-paced world.

“in ’85, rapid transatlantic shipping was still gaining traction,” says Wouter Roels, regional president of FedEx Europe. “It was as revolutionary as early internet connections would soon become! Our dedication back then laid down vital infrastructure for modern supply chains—much like how PCs transformed workplaces.”

Today’s landscape shows how much global trade has shifted since those early days at FedEx. With two major air hubs and numerous road hubs operating across Europe daily—connecting up to forty-five countries—the company sorts around two million packages each day through its extensive network of pick-up and delivery stations.

The next-day transatlantic shipping capabilities offered by FedEx link about ninety percent of Europe with key business centers in the U.S., giving customers flexible options for their international deliveries while enhancing their operational agility. E-commerce businesses particularly benefit from these reliable international shipping services that balance speed with cost-effectiveness alongside dedicated freight solutions available across twenty-two nations for less urgent shipments.

“The relationship between transatlantic trade remains fundamental to our global economy,” Roels emphasizes further. “While we’ve seen changes—from e-commerce surges to sustainable logistics becoming paramount—our goal stays constant: providing reliability amid uncertainty.” He expresses pride in being part of European commerce for four decades while looking ahead toward fostering even greater innovation moving forward.