Snow Disrupts FedEx Hub, But Memphis Airport Remains Open
Snow disrupted operations at the FedEx Express Memphis hub overnight and prompted Delta Air Lines to cancel four Jan. 6 afternoon flights between Memphis and Atlanta.
Numerous FedEx flights and some passenger flights in and out of Memphis International Airport were delayed by the snowstorm.
FedEx ranks No. 2 on the Transport Topics Top 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian for-hire carriers.
"FedEx Express experienced substantial disruptions at the Memphis hub last night due to winter weather," according to a FedEx service alert e-mailed at 9:43 a.m. CST Jan. 6. "Potential delays are possible for package deliveries across the United States with a delivery commitment of Jan. 6, 2017. FedEx is committed to provide service to the best of our ability. Please continue to check fedex.com for updates."
The Memphis airport is home to FedEx Express’ world hub and the second-busiest cargo airport in the world. About 250 flights a day serve the hub, the bulk of them in the overnight hours.
"We are operating and committed to service to the best of our ability," FedEx spokeswoman Heather Wilson said by e-mail. "Snowy conditions are affecting some flights at our Memphis World Hub, so customers may experience service delays. Our focus is always the safety of our team members, while also providing service."
Memphis airport spokesman Glen Thomas said he wasn't aware of airfield-related issues causing delays or cancellations. Airport officials advised travelers to check with airlines before heading to the airport for scheduled flights.
Delta said it pre-emptively canceled about 350 flights between Jan. 6 evening and Jan. 7 in hopes of limiting the snow's effects on its operations at Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport. The storm was expected to bring up to 4 inches of snow to the world's busiest passenger hub.
Delta canceled two departures and two arrivals of its Memphis-Atlanta service, according to online flight tracker Flightstats.com.
