Contact: Ghyslaine Clodion FedEx Media Relations gclodion@.com

FedEx Marks 40th Anniversary with significant European contribution

PARIS, April 17, 2013 – The company that launched the overnight industry is forty years old. On April 17, 1973, FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), then known as Federal Express, began operations at the Memphis International Airport with the delivery of 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities. Europe played a key role in getting the fledgling start-up company off the ground as the first cargo aircraft fleet of Federal Express was entirely made up of Falcon jets built by the French aircraft manufacturer, Dassault Aviation. The Falcon laid the foundations for future generations of FedEx Express cargo planes until it was phased out in 1983.

Today, FedEx globally and its four operating companies handle more than nine million packages each day via a high-tech network designed to connect customers by air, land and sea in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. “For 40 years, the men and women of FedEx have dedicated themselves to helping our customers connect to the world,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corp. “Today, our more than 300,000 team members mark this milestone with a spirit of service and dedication that ensures 40 years is only the beginning.”

Alain Chaillé, vice-president of Operations for Southern Europe for FedEx Express, stresses the importance of France in the company's strategy: "France is one of the major express markets in Europe. From the moment we launched in France in 1985, FedEx has continually developed its presence and its range of services. We also continue to consider our human resources as an essential asset of our company and reinforce our commitment to the local economy for sustainable and responsible growth.”

Paying tribute to FedEx and its strong historical ties to the French aircraft industry, John Rosanvallon, president and CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet, said: “The unique concept Fred Smith had for a nation-wide “guaranteed” overnight package delivery system caught everyone’s imagination at Dassault.” He added: “We were then (and still are) the kind of company that applauds innovation. That over 30 of our Falcon 20s would play such a crucial role in this new venture was both exciting and challenging. Even though his company was severely tested in those early years, we were never in doubt Fred would succeed. The level attained, however, even exceeded our wildest expectations. Congratulations to Fred and his many dedicated employees. You all have truly revolutionized the package delivery business. We are both proud to have played a role and humbled by your awesome achievements.”

FedEx: Yesterday and Today Since launching operations in 1973, FedEx has grown into both a driver and indicator of the global economy, linking 99 percent of the world’s GDP. The year 1985 marked the start of regularly scheduled flights between the U.S. and Europe and in the past 18 months alone, FedEx Express in Europe has added more than 2,700 new team members bringing the total to 19,910. In addition, the total number of station now stands at 175.

In France, where FedEx Express has been operating since 1985, FedEx has maintained a healthy level of external recruitment with 512 new team members joining the company since October 2011. Combined with new team members coming from FedEx Express France (former TATEX), FedEx counts today 4170 employees, which represents an increase of more than 40% of the workforce over the last 18 months. Last but not least, 241 FedEx team members have been promoted in France over the same period.

Since October 2011, FedEx has opened 19 stations. Thanks to the 36 stations operated by FedEx Express France (former TATEX, French company which has been acquired by FedEx in July 2012), FedEx counts now in total 68 French locations. Our presence on the territory has therefore been multiplied by more than 4. Moreover, FedEx has also multiplied by more than 4 its own fleet to more than 950 vehicles. Last but not least, FedEx has created or reinforced 6 air routes from CDG.

Today, FedEx encompasses diverse yet complementary businesses that cover a full range of logistics and business solutions designed for the needs of today’s global and local commerce.

The company that made its mark with the overnight delivery has adapted to meet the changing needs of its customers over the past four decades, pioneering advances in the process of moving and tracking goods around the world. Its portfolio now includes a robust variety of shipping options including Ground, Freight and ocean-based services, as well as business solutions designed to meet the needs of customers from start-ups to international corporations. From the beginning, the company’s innovative “hub and spoke” approach to transportation and seamless integration of cutting-edge IT systems set FedEx apart, and laid the groundwork for a sophisticated network capable of moving millions of packages around the world. On its busiest day since launching 40 years ago, December 18, 2012, FedEx processed 19.8 million packages. It is estimated that FedEx has shipped more than 31 billion packages since 1973. To celebrate 40 years of FedEx history we’ve compiled some of the most unique and unusual moments in our collective corporate history. We bet you didn’t know that…

 FedEx transported 90 tonnes of stranded materials for the "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition," including a 3,000 pound piece of the ship's hull, from Milan, Italy, to Atlanta, Ga., via a FedEx Express MD-11 in 2006.  FedEx shipped a delectable three-tonne shipment of a chocolate replica of the Notre-Dame Cathedral from the Salon du Chocolat show in Paris to the Chocolate Show Event in New York.  FedEx transported Russian Empress Catherine the Great's collection of historic artifacts from St. Petersburg to Memphis for a special exhibition.  There are 365 hybrid-electric vehicles in the FedEx fleet. Since hitting the road in 2004, more than 1.1 million liters of fuel have been saved.  FedEx transported the “Phoenix” capsule, a device used to aid in the rescue of 33 miners who were trapped for nearly ten weeks in a Chilean mine. Following the rescue, the capsule toured the globe before returning to Santiago, Chile.  FedEx transported 127 crates of historic Machu Picchu artifacts from Newark, N.J. to Lima, Peru to be displayed in their new museum home.  Seventeen classic Ferraris, worth millions of dollars, were shipped via FedEx from Brussels to the U.S. for a car show.

 FedEx helped bring Jaws to life by carrying the star, a nearly four-meter tiger shark from Florida, in a four-and-a-half-meter casket to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., where the film was shot, in 1974.  FedEx Express transported 630 tons (504,000 bottles of 2004 Beaujolais Nouveau wine from Lyon-Saint-Exupery Airport to Japanese enthusiasts anticipating the annual uncorking on November 18, 2004

About FedEx Express FedEx Express is the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast and reliable delivery to more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.

About FedEx Corp. FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $44 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members 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 news.fedex.com.

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