Due to various forms of operational testing processes currently taking place, FedEx announced today that it has delayed the opening of its new Asia-Pacific Hub at southern China-based Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport from the end of 2008 to the first half of 2009.

Plans for this hub were initially announced by FedEx in 2005.

The company said that the operation testing includes: the Hong Kong/Guangzhou cross border transportation processes, sort systems, and flight operations. Despite this testing, the company noted that service for FedEx’ global customers will not be impacted with its Subic Bay Asia-Pacific hub maintaining operations. The extended testing time and revised operations date, according to FedEx, will allow the company to fully test all systems and processes and work closely with Guangzhou authorities to ensure all necessary approvals are in place.

Once the hub is up and running, shippers can expect to see a high level of customer service and performance in the Asia-Pacific region, according to Maury Lane, FedEx spokesman.

"This is a state-of-the-art hub that will allow us to interconnect the Asia-Pacific region with the United States and Europe with what we hope to be the world-class service levels our customers have come to know and rely upon," said Lane.

A FedEx statement said that over the past several months the hub has made significant inroads in the following areas: construction, IT, employee training, and installing its package and sorting system. This system includes 16 high-speed sorting lines, seven round-out conveyor belts, and 90 primary and secondary document-sorting splits, which will enable FedEx to sort up to 24,000 packages per hour when operations commence at the hub.

Another feature of the hub noted by FedEx includes a ramp control tower, which, FedEx said, is a first for an international air express cargo company facility in China.