Continuing a nine-year trend, FedEx Corp. expects to make history again when a record-breaking total of 9.8 million packages move through its global FedEx Express and FedEx Ground networks on December 18, 2006. This is projected to be the busiest night in the history of FedEx and would break the companys previous record night of 8.9 million on December 19, 2005.

     

    From 186 packages on our first day of operations to almost 10 million in one night this holiday season, the busiest day of 2006 will again make history for FedEx, said Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President and CEO of FedEx Corp. Achieving this milestone speaks to our world class global workforce of nearly 275,000 people, our strong heritage and our leadership both for today and the future.

     

    The holiday season began in July of 2006, as goods left overseas ports and entered the FedEx Freight system for delivery to retailers. The volume peak has continued to grow through the fall as retailers use FedEx Freight and FedEx Ground to stock their shelves. Finally, FedEx Express and the company overall will see its peak in mid-December as the highest value goods move from manufacturers directly to retailers and customers.

     

    Growing FedEx volumes are a positive sign for economic strength during this heightened retail season, as goods continue to cross borders to meet solid global demand, said FedEx chief economist Gene Huang. In addition, declining fuel prices, if sustainable, may translate into increasing real business activities and help to push markets toward a stronger retail season than many have predicted early on.

     

    Other FedEx milestones this holiday season should include:

    • The FedEx Freight LTL companies expect to see peak volumes in late November, delivering approximately 100,000 shipments on their busiest day, compared with the average of approximately 85,000 shipments per day.
    • FedEx Ground projects it will handle its highest package volume on December 11, 2006, when it expects to move a record 4.9 million packages, a 12.5% increase over last year.
    • December 18, 2006 is expected to be FedEx Express busiest night with an increase of four percent over last year, as nearly 5.0 million packages move through the network.
    • The award winning fedex.com website should break records as well over the holidays, processing an average of almost six million online tracking requests per day during the peak month of December. This is a 31% increase over 2005.

     

    About FedEx

    FedEx Corp. provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $33 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brands. Consistently ranked among the worlds most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 275,000 employees and contractors to remain absolutely, positively focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit www.fedex.com

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