FedEx Express launches new gateway in Adelaide

FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., has announced the opening of its new FedEx Adelaide South Australian gateway, aimed at supporting the increasing air freight demand in South Australia.  

As one of the world’s largest express transportation companies, FedEx is investing in this facility adjacent to the Adelaide Airport to cater to the growing needs of the region. 

The new facility, situated within the planned freight and logistics hub for Adelaide Airport East Precinct, boasts advanced sorting and storage capabilities, leveraging cutting-edge technology. Spanning an area of approximately 64,000 square meters, the new gateway is more than double the size of the previous facilities combined.  

It features 435-meter conveyor belts and an advanced automated sortation system capable of processing up to 10,000 packages per hour, quadrupling the previous sorting capacity. 

Notably, the new FedEx Adelaide South Australian gateway offers a remarkable 300% increase in package sorting volume. This expansion enables FedEx to extend selected one-day delivery services to homes and businesses across 130 additional postcodes in both metropolitan and regional South Australia. 

Residents and businesses in areas such as the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, and Fleurieu Peninsula regions can now enjoy faster delivery times. 

Projections indicate that air freight volume in Adelaide will more than double over the next 20 years, growing from 58,500 tonnes annually to an estimated 146,000 tonnes by 2039. Moreover, between 2020 and 2050, it is anticipated that the volume of air freight across Australia as a whole will increase by over 103%, reaching roughly 589 million tonne kilometres by 2050. 

Apart from addressing the immediate air freight needs of the region, the new facility will contribute to broader long-term economic benefits for South Australia. With 25 weekly flights connecting Adelaide Airport, the gateway ensures importers and exporters, including small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and heavy-weight shippers, have improved and reliable access to other cities within Australia and international markets.  

“This gateway is now the largest single express freight sorting facility in South Australia and the first to respond to major freight upgrades at the Adelaide Airport,” says FedEx Express Australasia Vice President Peter Langley. 

“The enhanced capabilities of the new facility will benefit local businesses looking to tap into the international marketplace and support the growing demand for e-commerce in the South Australia region.” 

In alignment with FedEx Corp.’s goal of achieving carbon-neutral global operations by 2040, the new gateway incorporates several environmentally friendly features. The facility utilises a 4,500 square meter skylight to maximise natural light and employs 100% LED lighting, resulting in significant energy savings compared to traditional lighting. 

The launch of the new facility in the year of FedEx’s 50th anniversary demonstrates the company’s commitment to customer service excellence, innovation, and sustainable operations. FedEx Express continues to explore new and innovative ways to enhance efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and serve its customers more effectively.