FedEx Panda Express transports special cargo

FedEx has transported two giant pandas from China to the US aboard a Boeing 777 freighter known as the “FedEx Panda Express”.

The airline said that it worked with Zoo Atlanta to move six-year-old male Ping Ping and five-year-old female Fu Shuang, from Chengdu, China to Atlanta, Georgia.

Throughout their non-stop flight from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang travelled in custom-built travel crates under the care of Zoo Atlanta animal specialists.

The pandas were the sole cargo aboard the aircraft, accompanied by fresh bamboo, water, and an assortment of their favourite treats.

Before their trip, the bears spent time getting accustomed to their enclosures to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

As well as operating the flight, FedEx also provided trucking and logistical support in Atlanta to safely transport the pandas from the airport to Zoo Atlanta.

The airline said it would donate the full transportation cost of this move as part of its ongoing corporate social responsibility and environmental conservation efforts.

Including this move, FedEx has had the privilege of transporting 23 pandas to and from China since 2000.

“We have had the privilege of transporting giant pandas for more than two decades, and every time the FedEx Panda Express is called into service, our entire team feels the significance of the mission,” said Richard Smith, chief operating officer, International, and chief executive officer, Airline, FedEx.

“Safely delivering Ping Ping and Fu Shuang to their new home in Atlanta underscores our long-standing commitment to global conservation and our network’s ability to securely transport high-priority, precious cargo.”