DRIVING THE NEWS: Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy visits FedEx Memphis World Hub, Highlights Importance of ATC Modernization for Moving Products Quickly & Affordably
MEMPHIS, TN – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy on Wednesday traveled to Memphis to visit the FedEx Memphis World Hub at Frederick W. Smith International Airport – one of the world’s busiest cargo airports. While there, the Secretary met with FedEx leadership and airport officials and toured the facility – including its Global Operations Control Center, Air Operations Center, and the airfield.
Throughout the tour, the group discussed their collaboration with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic controllers, growing demand for air cargo, and the importance of passing the Modern Skies Act. The legislation introduced earlier this week would make our national supply chains more reliable and expand how the airspace is utilized.
“FedEx’s Memphis World Hub is a remarkable testament to American transportation innovation. Working with our world-class air traffic controllers, cargo planes carrying hundreds of thousands of packages land every 90 seconds — an incredible dance that ensures critical goods get where they need to go,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “But cargo demand is set to jump 10% over the next decade - and with more passenger flights, eVTOLs, and drones, our skies are only getting busier. We have to finish modernizing air traffic control. I appreciate FedEx’s support for the Modern Skies Act and look forward to passing this vital legislation to upgrade America’s supply chains.”
“This modernization effort is essential to cargo airline operations, express transportation, and the overall health and growth of the United States,” said Richard W. Smith, COO, International & CEO, Airline, FedEx Corp. “Critical healthcare and manufacturing supply chains move through our network, and American citizens absolutely, positively depend on a safe and reliable air traffic control system to get the medical and industrial goods they rely on each and every day.”
The FedEx Memphis World Hub connects global commerce, linking American businesses to every U.S. ZIP code and more than 220 countries and territories overnight through its integrated air and ground network. The company moves 18 million packages a day, keeping the economy in motion. For cargo carriers, reliability is about more than delivery speed. Disruptions and delays can affect time-sensitive and critical shipments, as well as the businesses and customers that depend on them.
Reminder:
On Monday, Secretary Duffy and Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) unveiled the Modern Skies Act, legislation to fund the final stage of the Trump Administration’s air traffic control modernization and improve the flying experience for the American people.
This landmark legislation will invest $30 billion to modernize the digital architecture America’s traffic control system relies on, replace aviation infrastructure, and build world-class airports across the country. Learn more about the Modern Skies Act provisions here.