25-year-old Mei Xiang, 26-year-old Tian Tian and their 3-year-old cub, Xiao Qi Ji flew on the Boeing 777 Freighter charter flight, dubbed the FedEx Panda Express, from Washington D.C. to Chengdu in partnership with Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
FedEx provided trucking and logistical support in Washington D.C. to transport the VIPs from the zoo to the airport and donated the shipping costs as part of its corporate social responsibility and environmental conservation efforts.
On the journey, the pandas were accompanied by animal care experts from Smithsonian’s zoo and travelled in custom-built transport enclosures provided by FedEx.
The pandas were the only cargo on the flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport apart from supplies such as bamboo, water and treats including sugar cane, apples and pears.
When they arrived in Chengdu, the pandas were greeted on the tarmac by their new keepers and moved to the Shenshuping facility in Wolong, where they will stay in quarantine for 30 days.
Richard Smith, President and CEO Airline and International of FedEx, says, “We are deeply honoured to again serve as the transportation provider of giant pandas. The safe delivery of Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji is a testament to the company’s commitment and ability to securely ship precious cargo.
“I remember fondly when we brought Mei Xiang and Tian Tian over decades ago, and we are proud to once again be entrusted with transporting these beloved animals through our global network.”