FedEx Express workers describe how first shipment of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines moved through the Memphis world hub and beyond on Sunday, Dec. 20.

Peak preparation expenses cost more and took longer to get set due to more restrictions and safety considerations surrounding COVID-19, FedEx Ground’s president and CEO said. 

The first truckload of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine destined for U.S. administration sites rolled into the FedEx Express world hub in Memphis about 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20.

FedEx said Saturday, Dec. 19, it’s ready to start moving the Moderna vaccine for COVID-19.

Memphis-based FedEx Corp. reported strong second quarter earnings on Thursday, Dec. 17, but withheld guidance for the full year.

Memphis International Airport employees are being tested for COVID-19 each day they work at the airport, as part of an assurance testing program that the airport hopes to expand.

Memphis airport officials said Chick-fil-A, Dunkin’ Donuts and Chili’s are among restaurants planned in future phases of concession development, after traffic rebounds toward pre-COVID levels.

FedEx’s Cordova station is seeing more gift items shipped by small, local businesses this peak season, suggesting many have successfully pivoted to the online marketplace amid COVID-19.

FedEx has taken delivery of first of at least 30 purpose-built turboprop air freighters to serve feeder markets around the world. ATR-72 600Fs will be delivered over five years.

Dunavant Distribution Group executives said a new lease of logistics space near the Port of Houston should enable the company to add 30 to 50 employees.

FedEx reported at mid-day Monday, Dec. 14, it had delivered COVID-19 vaccines to more than 100 destinations without incident and ahead of schedule.

FedEx and UPS could gain $100 million to $300 million in new revenue from COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the U.S., a Bank of America research report says. Related article: COVID-19 vaccine moves through Memphis hub

The first COVID-19 vaccines for U.S. use arrived at FedEx’s Memphis hub about 11:30 a.m. Sunday. By 4 p.m., vaccine shipments had started moving to final destinations. Related article: FedEx flying high into latest earnings report

“This is among the most important work in the history of our company, and we’re honored to be a part of the effort to help end this pandemic,” FedEx president and chief operating officer Raj Subramaniam said in a release.

FedEx’s Air Line Pilots Association unit said on Tuesday, Dec. 8, that 292 pilots had tested positive for COVID-19. The number has doubled since late October.

FedEx shares closed above $300 for the first time in the company’s history on Tuesday Dec. 8, after falling as low as $88.68 in mid-March.

The Canadian government has agreements with seven vaccine makers including Pfizer and Moderna.

Vice President Mike Pence, CDC director and Health and Human Services Secretary paid a courtesy call on FedEx Dec. 3 to talk COVID-19 vaccine distribution and FedEx’s role in it.

Vice President Mike Pence called Memphis-born FedEx “a remarkable American company” and said it will be crucial to successful execution of a COVID-19 vaccination program.

Amazon has quietly started site work atop a hill behind its just-opened fulfillment center at 4055 New Allen Road. The future, 183,000-square-foot facility will be a delivery station that employs about 300.

New ID card scanners, a computerized tomography baggage scanner and other measures have arrived at Memphis International Airport B Checkpoint as part of TSA’s Stay Healthy, Stay Secure campaign.

The addition continues FedEx’s strategy of serving businesses that compete with e-commerce giant Amazon.

Vice President Mike Pence is visiting Memphis Thursday, Dec. 3, to discuss Operation Warp Speed. 

FedEx was expected to handle about 26 million shipments on Cyber Monday, Nov. 30, and more than 24 million shipments a day on Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. 

Delta Air Lines told Memphis International Airport officials it didn’t generate enough business to justify continuing a Memphis-Indianapolis nonstop that began Oct. 1.